REV.  JOSEPH  PAINTER  CALHOUN, 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/pittsburgrevivalOOjoll 


THE  PITTSBURG 
REVIVAL 


A  History  of  God's  Gracious  Visita- 
tion of  Allegheny  County  in 
the  Winter  of  1904. 

Prepared  under  the  Direction  of  the 

General  Committee  of  the 
Simultaneous  Evangelistic  Movement 

BY 

REV.  AUSTIN  H.  JOLLY,  D.  D. 
Author  of     Ruling  Elders'  Hand  Book." 

ASSISTED  BY 

Rev. T.J. Leak, D.D.jMethodistEpiscopal  Church. 
Rev.  J;  A.  Duff,  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
Rev.  I.  A.  Barnes,  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 
Rev.  Geo.  Wheaton  Taft,       Baptist  Church. 


PITTSBURG: 

Duncan  Printing  Company,  1006  Penn  Avenue. 
1904 


FOREWORD. 


 0  

This  book  is  not  born  of  a  personal  am- 
bition. The  people  of  God  have  been  bles- 
sed and  they  would  sing  a  psalm  of  praise. 
*'Out  of  Zion  the  perfection  of  beauty  God 
hath  shined,"  not  in  judgement,  but  in 
works  of  grace.  ''The  Lord  hath  done 
great  things  for  us  whereof  we  are  glad," 
and  ''We  will  make  known  to  the  sons  of 
men  His  mighty  acts,  and  the  glorious 
majesty  of  His  kingdom."  Dr.  Finney 
used  to  say :  "The  way  to  promote  a  re- 
vival is  to  tell  of  a  revival."  If  the  re- 
counting of  God's  good  works  in  our  minds 
may  help  others  to  a  similar  blessing  our 
mission  is  accomplished. 

These  pages  present  no  new  theory  of 
the  Christian  life.  We  can  scarcely  as- 
sert that  the  "Pittsburg  Plan"  is  new  in 
itself.  If  we  have  anything  new  it  is  a 
Fact  not  a  theory,  and  that  fact  is  a 
Christian  Unity  that  made  the  churches  well 
nigh  omnipotent.    The  spirit  of  co-opera- 


iv         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


tion  was  the  significant  feature  of  the 
movement,  and  the  word  ^''Simultaneous''''  has 
a  new  meaning  in  our  churches. 

Every  battle  has  its  heroes,  every  army 
its  posts  of  honor.  We  gladly  and  grate- 
fully speak  of  those  who  as  leaders  of 
God's  people  have  been  a  blessing  to 
many,  but  we  have  rather  sought  to  leave 
men  concealed  among  the  wheels  of  God's 
Providence.  We  have  not  prepared  long 
chapters  to  tell  what  individuals  have 
done,  but  have  mentioned  names  only  to 
indicate  how  God  used  human  instru- 
ments in  furthering  His  work.  It  need 
only  be  said  here  that  all  felt  the  strong 
guiding  hand  of  the  chairman,  Kev.  Jos- 
eph P.  Calhoun,  D.  D.,  who  gave  all  his 
time  and  energy  to  the  work,  and  of 
the  Rev.  J.  Wilbur  Chapman,  D.  D.,  who 
with  great  wisdom  and  skill  ^directed 
the  campaign.  We  are  thankful  that  God 
used  these  faithful  men,  ana  praise  Him 
as  the  giver  of  these  blessings. 

Personally  I  must  express  my  gratitude 
to  the  officers  of  the  General  Committee 
for  much  council  and  help,  and  to  E-ev. 
I.  A.  Barnes,  Bev.  J.  A,  Duff,  Rev.  G. 
W.  Taft  and  Rev.  T.  J.  Leak,  D.  D.,  for 


Fofcwofd 


V 


their  valued  assistance  in  editing  this 
work. 

If  it  may  be  the  instrument,  under  God 
of  bringing  His  people  together  in  similar 
work  elsewhere,  or  if  it  should  deepen  a 
desire  for  the  glory  of  God,  its  purpose  is 
accomplished.  That  it  may  be  the  means 
of  winning  immortal  souls  for  the  Master 
we  love  is  the  prayer  of 

Austin  H.  Jolly. 
Carrick,  Pa.,  May,  1904. 


CONTENTS 


I 

The  Beginning   1 

II 

Spiritual  Conditions  in  Pittsburg  before 
the  Evangelistic  Movement  ....  7 

III 

The  Plan  Adopted   12 

IV 

The  Committee  at  Work  25 

V 

In  the  Office  .  •  35 

VI 

Showers  of  Blessing  47 

VII 

Enlargement  61 

VIII 

February  14th  72 

IX 

Progress  of  the  Meetings  81 

X 

The  Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  ...  92 


viii  G)ntents 
XI 

Special  Meetings  116 

XII 

Back  in  the  Churches  124 

XIII 

The  Feast  of  Ingathering  134 

XIV 

A  Cloud  of  Witnesses   140 

XV 

The  Movement  Moves  On  148 

XVI 

Figures  and  Facts  151 

XVII 

A  Final  Word  168 


REV.  J.  WILBUR  CHAPMAN,  D.  D. 


R.   FBET).  BUTLER 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE  BEGINNING 

The  world  has  stopped  to  look  on,  and  we 
ourselves  have  been  surprised  at  a  new  step  in 
Christian  unity.  We  were  almost  afraid  ot 
our  own  plan;  in  doubt  of  its  success,  and 
thought  we  were  experimenting,  but  now  we 
see  it  was  God's  plan  for  the  honor  of  His 
Church.  He  had  a  program  which  He  did  not 
publish.  We  thought  we  were  inventing  or  dis- 
covering. It  was  God  revealing.  This  move- 
ment was  born  of  God. 

There  are  nearly  a  million  of  people  in  Alle- 
gheny county.  Fully  one-tenth  of  these  are 
foreigners.  Possibly  one-fifth  Roman  Catholic. 
It  is  a  mixed  population,  but  the  churches  es- 
pecially conservative  in  doctrine  predominate. 
Presbyterian  and  Lutheran  and  Methodist 
Episcopal  are  the  stronger  sects.  They  have 
never  been  closely  united  in  their  work.  Each 
denomination  was  aggressive  along  its  own 
lines,  but  it  could  scarcely  be  said  that  there 
was  a  spirit  of  co-operation. 

There  are  nearly  two    hundred    and  fifty 
churches  and  missions  bearing  the  Presbyterian 
name  in  the  county.    They  are  of  five  different 
1 


2  The  Pittsburg  Revival 


branches  of  that  church.  It  was  fitting  that 
this  great  body  comprising  nearly  fifty  thousand 
Christians  should  take  the  initiative  in  a  Simul- 
taneous Evangelistic  Movement,  but  if  they 
were  the  nucleus  around  which  the  work  crys- 
talized,  no  other  pre-eminence  can  be  given  in 
the  later  development  of  the  plan. 

No  one  can  place  his  hand  on  one  thing,  and 
say  this  was  the  beginning.  From  a  human 
point  of  view  there  were  many  beginnings.  The 
evangelistic  movements  inaugurated  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the 
American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society  and 
the  Pittsburg  M.  E.  Conference  were  some  of 
the  early  efforts  toward  bettering  the  spiritual 
vcondition  in  the  churches. 

One  of  the  first  direct  influences  leading  up 
to  an  organization  was  the  street  and  tent  work 
of  the  Presbyteries  of  Pittsburg  and  Allegheny 
in  the  summers  of  1902  and  1903.  This  work 
was  carried  on  by  a  joint  committee  of  the  two 
Presbyteries  named.  During  last  summer  three 
tents  were  used  and  it  is  estimated  that  in 
them  nearly  forty  thousand  people  heard  the 
Gospel,  while  the  street  work  reached  a  much 
larger  number.  This  may  have  been  the  first 
kindlings  of  the  sacred  fire  in  our  midst.  There 
was  also  the  preparation  of  the  hearts  of  men 
for  the  work.  Many  were  yearning  for  a  deeper 
spiritual  life.  Pastors  were  deploring  the  low 
estate  of  Zion,  and  were  hoping  for  better 
things. 


The  Beginning  3 


It  was  not  accidental  that  a  resolution  was 
passed  in  one  of  our  great  church  courts  to  the 
effect  that  *'This  entire  year  be  set  apart  for 
a  time  of  deep  spiritual  improvement,  and  that 
special  emphasis  be  placed  on  the  winning  of 
men  to  Christ,  and  that  pastors  be  asked  imme- 
diately to  plan  and  pray  for  an  entire  year  of 
aggressive  evangelism." 

Furthermore,  the  organization  which  brought 
such  great  results  could  not  have  been  affected 
except  for  the  Ministerial  Union,  which  had 
brought  ministers  of  various  denominations  to- 
gether three  times  each  year  for  some  three 
years.  It  is  not  likely  that  the  plan  would  have 
been  so  quickly  formulated,  but  a  few  ministers 
of  one  denomination  had  been  planning  for 
work  in  their  own  churches  along  similar  lines. 
It  needed  also  the  earnest  words  of  one  who 
had  stood  in  the  midst  of  a  similar  movement 
in  Australia  to  kindle  the  flame,  and  then  God 
would  call  each  leader  to  his  post  and  use  him 
for  His  own  glory. 

A  revival  along  denominational  lines  which 
might  have  resulted  in  an  ingathering  as  large 
would  by  no  means  have  had  the  widespread 
effect  and  in^uence  on  the  churches  and  the 
community  that  this  has  had.  We  without 
hesitation  record  it  here,  as  a  conservative  esti- 
mate which  we  regard  as  reliable  and  safe  that 
fully  six  thousana  actually  confessed  their  faith 
in  Christ  and  united  with  the  churches  of  the 
county  between  January  first,  1904,  and  the 
middle  of  May,  and  that  a  much  larger  num- 


4  The  Pittsburg  Revival 


ber  was  interested  and  turned  to  a  new  life 
in  tJhrist  we  do  not  doubt.  The  num- 

ber of  prayer  meetings  held  in  connection  with 
the  movement  together  with  preliminary  con- 
ferences would  certainly  amount  to  one  tJaou- 
sand.  The  number  of  meetings  held  by  evange- 
lists and  others  in  continuing  the  work  which 
had  been  started  will  amount  to  six  hundred 
more.  We  firmly  believed  that  the  attendance 
at  these  meetings  would  aggregate  four  hun- 
dred thousand,  and  that  fully  ten  thousand  gave 
some  indication  of  an  interest  in  their  personal 
welfare,  and  six  thousand  have  been  enrolled  as 
members  of  the  churches. 

The  finance  committee,  consisting  of  fifteen 
representative  business  men  of  the  county,  and 
selected  from  the  different  denominations,  sent 
out  a  letter  to  those  who  aided  in  the  financial 
support  of  the  work,  from  which  we  quote  the 
following :  "V^e  feel  that  it  is  due  those  who 
have  stood  back  of  this,  the  greatest  religious 
movement  with  possibly  one  exception  in  all  our 
history,  that  they  should  know  what  has  been 
accomplished  as  seen  through  the  eyes  of  the 
Finance  Committee. 

"First. — We  believe  the  movement  found  its 
best  expression  in,  j-iie  Quickened  Life  of  the 
Church.  It  is  beyond  all  question  true  that  the 
church  has  been  stirred  as  never  before  in  all 
our  history,  and  on  that  account  we  may  confi- 
dently hope  for  better  work  from  the  church 
than  ever  before.  The  movement  was  worth 
all  it  cost  to  have  accomplished  that  alone. 


The  Beginning'  5 


"Second. — Fully  5,000  persons  have  been 
added  to  the  membership  of  the  Evangelical 
Churches  of  Allegheny  county.  If  the  average 
contribution  to  our  churches  is  $12.00  per  Com- 
municant, we  may  expect  that  $60,000-00 
will  be  added  to  the  contributions  of  our 
churches  each  year. 

"Third. — We  have  started  a  wave  that  will 
mean  much  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  good 
of  mankind,  in  that  other  cities,  large  and  small, 
are  planning  for  such  a  work  next  winter. 
More  than  100  such  cities  have  corresponded 
with  us. 

"In  the  light  of  these  definite  results,  we 
cannot  but  feel  that  the  movement,  so  large  in 
its  proportions,  so  fruitful  and  so  far-reaching 
has  more  than  justified  the  time,  the  labor  and 
the  money  that  have  been  so  freely  given  to  it." 

These  are  the  words  of  men  who  know 
whereof  they  speak.  The  reader  will  observe 
that  statistics  of  ingatherings  are  given  in  only 
four  groups  of  churches.  These  groups  are  not 
large  and  the  accessions  are  certainly  above  the 
general  average.  Yet  we  know  that  in  some 
other  groups  the  average  is  as  large.  Here  are 
the  figures :  The  Colored  churches  averaged  35 
accessions,  South  Side  churches  30,  Homewood 
district  70,  Carnegie  30. 

According  to  the  reports  of  the  district 
chairman  about  350  churches  took  part  in  the 
campaign.  Probably  fifty  of  these  churches 
took  only  a  nominal  part,  and  were  in  no 
particular  way  effected.    But  if  the  remaining 


6  The  Pittsburg:  Revival 


three  hundred  churches  received  an  average  of 
twenty  members  each  the  aggregate  would  be 
about  six  thousand.  We  believe  that  this  is 
not  far  from  the  actual  results.  The  average 
of  accessions  in  the  eighty  Presbyterian 
churches  taking  part  in  the  campaign  is  nearly 
twenty-five,  and  the  increase  in  Pittsburg  Pres- 
bytery alone  over  last  year  is  about  six  hundred. 

With  these  facts  and  figures  before  us  we 
feel  justified  in  speaking  of  the  Simultaneous 
Evangelistic  Movement  in  Pittsburg  as  one  of 
the  great  events  in  the  history  of  its  great 
churches,  and  count  it  worthy  to  be  recorded 
among  the  Lord's  wonderful  works  which  He 
has  done  to  the  children  of  men. 

In  the  early  church  it  was  a  proper  thing 
to  record  the  blessings  of  Pentecost,  and  to 
hand  down  to  us  the  numbers  of  those  saved  by 
the  Spirit  in  that  first  gracious  outpouring.  We 
trust  it  is  with  the  same  spirit  that  we  tell  of 
God's  wonderful  works  in  our  midst  and  try  to 
number  the  trophies  of  His  grace. 


CHAPTER  II 


SPIRITUAL  CONDITIONS  IN  PITTSBURG  BEFORE 
THE  EVANGELISTIC  MOVEMENT 

It  would  be  an  injustice  to  many  brethren 
in  the  ministry  to  speak  of  the  period  previous 
to  the  winter  of  1904,  as  one  of  special  cold- 
ness and  indifference.  There  were  in  many 
churches  marked  signs  of  life,  and  in  some  re- 
sults were  most  encouraging,  but  on  the  whole 
I  believe  it  would  be  agreed  that  the  indiffer- 
ence was  widespread,  and  all  too  general.  It 
is  true  that  certain  efforts  were  put  forth  for 
improving  spiritual  conditions,  and  I  am  sure 
that  many  people  deplored  the  low  estate  of 
Zion.  Many  attempts  indeed  were  made  to 
promote  a  revival.  Conferences  were  held,  ef- 
forts to  deepen  the  spiritual  life  of  pastors  were 
frequent.  Topics  discussed  in  the  Ministerial 
Associations  and  in  the  Ministerial  Union  in- 
dicated that  a  struggle  was  going  on  after  a. 
better  life.  Decision  days  and  days  of  prayer 
were  held,  and  there  were  some  attempts  at 
Union  Meetings. 

None  of  these  early  efforts  made  a  general 
impression.  Indeed,  some  of  them  were  so 
neglected  as  to  make  little,  if  any  impression,, 
and  might  almost  be  called  failures.  Pastors 


8  The  Pittsburg  Revival 


were  working  in  their  own  churches  trying  to 
gather  in  as  many  as  they  might,  but  for  the 
community  in  general  they  gave  little  thought. 
I  recall  one  or  two  of  these  meetings  which 
excited  criticism  because  of  peculiar  views  ex- 
pressed by  some  of  the  speakers.  The  thought 
of  a  humble  personal  approach  to  God  was,  I 
think,  not  widespread  or  at  least  the  meetings 
did  not  have  a  tendency  to  bring  large  num- 
bers to  decided  action. 

Yet  this  was  not  a  period  of  general  inac- 
tivity in  the  churches.  The  years  lyoi  to  1908 
witnessed  great  financial  prosperity  in  Pitts- 
burg, and  the  churches  were  sharers  in  this 
prosperity.  These  years  witnessed  the  erec- 
tion of  an  unusually  large  number  of  churches, 
some  of  them  being  very  costly.  It  was  a  time 
of  church  building  by  all  the  denominations. 
In  addition  to  this,  old  debts  wore  paid,  church 
properties  were  improved,  pastors'  salaries  wert 
increased,  the  Boards  of  the  churches  were 
liberally  supported,  and  local  l)enevolent  insti- 
tutions were  liberally  helped,  while  numer- 
ous large  gifts  were  made  to  educational  in- 
situations.  May  it  not  be  that  we  were  think- 
ing too  much  of  the  financial  needs  of  our  Mas- 
ter's cause,  and  too  little  of  the  better  spiritual 
influence  of  the  kingdom? 

What  is  true  of  the  plans  of  the  min- 
istry and  of  church  officers  is  true  also 
of  church  members.  There  was  a  sad  indiffer- 
ence to  the  obligations  of  professing  Chrii- 
tians.    Pastors  complained  that  their  people 


REV.  JAMES  M.  GRAY,  D. 


MR.  C.        D.  PtiWERB 


6 


Spiritual  Conditions 


9 


did  not  attend  church,  congregations  were  small 
at  the  morning  services,  and  distressingly  so 
at  the  evening  services.  Although  there  was 
great  activity  among  leaders  in  Sabbath  School 
work,  the  attendance  of  children  was  not  in- 
creased. Many  professing  Christians  would 
spend  the  Sabbath  in  the  parks  or  in  places 
of  public  resort  without  attending  a  religious 
service  of  any  kind.  Frequently  parents  took 
their  children  with  them,  thus  keeping  them 
also  away  from  the  Sabbath  School. 

Efforts  were  made  to  attract  people  to 
the  churches,  but  in  most  cases  without 
avail.  This  was  a  period  of  "special  music" 
and  "sensational  topics,"  and  liberal  advertis- 
ing, but  it  did  not  seem  to  win  the  multitudes. 
The  Gospel  was  itself  an  attraction  to  but  few 
and  even  the  ministry  seemed  to  doubt  its 
power. 

In  the  midst  of  this  coldness  on  the  part 
of  Christians,  Satan's  hosts  were  busy,  with  all 
the  plausible  and  alluring  schemes  of  a  sinful 
life,  covered  only  half  over  with  apologies  for 
physical  comfort  or  social  advantage.  The 
traction  parks,  that  unmitigated  evil  which  has 
been  the  curse  of  too  many  lives,  were  being 
enlarged  to  attract  and  to  seduce  the  thought- 
less crowds,  amongst  whom  were,  alas, 
too  many  of  God's  own  wilful,  wayward  chil- 
dren. These  new  avenues  to  iniquity  seemed 
to  gather  in  one,  all  the  evils  of  the  low  the- 
ater, the  dance  hall,  the  drinking  saloon,  the 
gambling  den,  and  the  brothel,  and  opened  them 
1* 


10         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


wide  to  the  gaze  of  innocent  and  impressible 
youth,  while  the  hardened  criminal  found  op- 
portunity to  ply  his  occupation  of  sin.  Oh, 
when  would  the  people  be  sick  of  this  wicked 
nonsense?  "When  would  mothers  try  to  keep 
their  daughters  away  from  these  paths  to 
shame?  When  would  young  men  and  boys  be 
led  away  from  these  first  entangling  steps  to 
gambling  and  kindred  vices?  This  was  the  cry 
of  many  a  sad  heart  as  this  work  went  on. 
Only  a  united  host  could  reach  the  evil,  and  the 
host  was  not  united. 

Earnest  Christians  could  not  stand  idly  by, 
and  let  this  work  go  on.  Souls  were  perishing 
I  think  it  was  then  that  some  of  God's  peo- 
ple began  to  plead  more  earnestly  at  the  throne 
of  grace.  True,  resolutions  were  passed  and 
committees  appointed,  and  the  law  invoked,  but 
this  seemed  to  have  but  little  eftect.  Public 
sympathy  seemed  to  be  with  the  transgressor. 
If  a  liquor  dealer  was  called  to  account  as  an 
offender  it  was  said  that  he  was  persecuted ;  if 
attempts  were  made  to  stop  vice  in  a  public 
park  every  motive  of  evil  was  charged  against 
those  who  had  the  courage  to  oppose  the  wrongs. 
True,  some  good  was  accomplished,  and  the  evil 
felt  the  restraining  force  of  a  law  enforcing 
organization,  but  on  the  whole  the  evils  grew 
worse  and  worse  until  in  the  summer  of  1903, 
it  seemed  that  the  limit  had  been  reached  in 
violence  and  vice.  Drunken  men  and  vile  women 
were  to  be  seen  almost  any  day  at  these  re- 
sorts, and  at  one  Sunday  ball  game  two  mur- 


spiritual  Conditions  11 


ders  were  committed.  It  was  time  for  decided 
action.  Spiritual  forces  must  throw  of6  their 
lethargy.  More  than  law  is  needed  to  restrain 
evil.  God  has  taught  His  people  to  cry  to 
Him  in  the  day  of  distress.  He  can  overcome 
the  evil  and  establish  peace. 

I  believe  it  is  true  also  that  during  the  time 
of  which  we  now  speak  there  was  a  deep  sense 
of  need.  Many  half-formed  plans  indicate 
that  there  were  not  a  few  earnestly  praying 
for  better  things.  The  burden  was  increasing 
upon  the  church,  and  the  cry  that  had  not  yet 
taken  full  expression  oegan  to  be  audible.  We 
needed  something.  But  what  was  the  great  need 
of  that  hour?  Some  were  turning  one  way  and 
some  another.  There  were  signs  of  an  awaken- 
ing in  the  expressed  need  of  it,  and  in  the  earn- 
est wish  to  prepare  the  way.  A  new  life  was 
struggling  to  the  birth  in  our  churches.  The 
cry  of  many  a  heart  was,  "How  long,  O  Lord  I 
how  long?"  The  low  estate  of  Zion  and  lowr 
estate  of  the  world  brought  God's  people  in 
humble  penitence  and  deep  sorrow  prostrate  be- 
fore Him.  'Then  they  cried  unto  the  Lord  in 
their  trouble,  and  He  saved  them  out  of  their 
distresses." 


CHAPTER  III. 


THE  PLAN  ADOPTED 

I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  we  can 
not  move  the  large  cities  or  reach  the  unsaved 
multitudes  along  denominational  lines y 

—Dr.  J.  P.  CALHOUNe 

The  Ministerial  Union  of  Pittsburg  and  vicin- 
ity was  organized  some  three  years  ago.  It 
meets  once  in  three  months  to  discuss  topics  of 
general  interest.  It  was  by  no  means  the  origi- 
nal intention  of  the  organization  to  engage  in 
Union  Evangelistic  work.  It  was  intended,  I 
believe,  to  promote  social  intercourse,  and  Chris- 
tian fellowship  rather  than  to  have  any  partic- 
ular influence  in  the  development  of  the  church 
life  of  the  city.  Its  regular  meeting  was  held 
on  October  12th,  1903,  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  rooms, 
Pittsburg.  Two  addresses  were  delivered  on 
that  occasion,  one  by  Mr.  J.  Campbell  White, 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  on  Foreign 
Missions.  It  was  a  most  earnest  and  effective 
appeal  wrought  out  in  the  experience  of  a  for- 
eign missionary.  The  other  address  was  by  Dr. 
C.  L.  Thurgood,  of  the  Central  Christian 
Cnurch  of  Pittsburg,  on  the  great  awakening  in 


The  Plan  Adopted  13 


Melbourne,  Australia.  Dr.  Thurgood  was  an 
interested  visitor  in  Australia  at  the  time  of 
the  revival  there,  and  was  able  to  bear  testi- 
mony as  an  eye  witness.  We  give  here  a  few 
extracts  from  his  address. 

*'When  Dr.  R.  A.  Torry  arrived  in  Mel- 
bourne he  found  that  about  a  dozen  men  had 
for  eleven  years  been  crying  to  God  for  an 
outpouring  of  the  blessing  of  His  Spirit.  They 
had  said  in  Australia,  'Nothing  can  be  done  in 
Melbourne,  the  city  is  entirely  given  up  to 
worldliness.* 

"A  beautiful  approach  to  the  answer  of  the 
Lord's  Prayer  for  the  *unity  of  His  church' 
had  also  paved  the  way.  The  Presbyterian 
branches  had  united  some  years  ago,  and  the 
Methoilists  had  followed  in  their  wake  recently. 
Now  these  two  bodies  are  in  correspondence 
with  a  view  to  union.  The  Evangelistic  Com- 
mittee of  the  Council  of  Churches  led  the  way 
and  the  ministers  of  the  city  were  written  to, 
asking  them  to  enlist  their  churches  in  having 
at  least  seven  special  prayer  meetings  in  as 
many  homes  of  Christian  people  with  the  maxi- 
mum ideal  of  twenty-five  such  meetings  in  con- 
nection with  each  church.  The  consecrated  lead- 
ers of  these  meetings  furnished  an  army  of 
workers.  The  outcome  of  all  the  arrangements 
was,  214  churches  joined  in  the  mission ;  the 
local  committees  numbered  700  ;  there  v/ere  2,000 
personal  workers  and  2,500  choir  members ;  no 
less  than  117,000  people  attended  the  16,800 


14         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


home  praj^er  meetings  which  formed  the  prelude 
to  the  mission. 

"Then  fifty  ministers  well-known  for  their 
evangelistic  spirit  were  secured  as  missioners 
or  evangelists.  It  was  agreed  that  no  church 
building  was  to  be  used  as  a  mission  center. 
Nineteen  tents,  nine  town  halls,  twelve  public 
halls  and  one  church  building  were  engaged. 

"Associated  with  Dr.  Torrey  was  Mr.  Geil, 
a  very  outspoken  speaker.  Prayer  circles  in 
Melbourne  and  suburbs,  followed  by  the  fifty 
mission  meetings,  prepared  the  way  for  the 
great  exhibition  and  town  hall  meetings,  night 
and  afternoon,  respectively.  These  mass  meet- 
ings were  held  the  next  two  weeks,  making 
a  month  of  evangelistic  meetings.  Ten  thou- 
sand a  night  for  the  two  closing  weeks  were 
in  attendance. 

"But  the  great  nigiit  of  all  was  when  the 
converts  from  all  the  districts  were  invited 
by  special  ticket  to  the  final  meeting.  That 
night  will  never  be  forgotten  when  the  new 
converts  arose,  testifying  as  a  whole  that  they 
had  broken  with  sin  and  had  surrendered  to 
Jesus  Christ  as  their  Saviour  to  accept,  and  as 
their  Lord  to  obey, 

"May  I  suggest  in  closing  that  steps  be  taken 
immediately  for  a  conference  upon  a  simultane- 
ous mission  in  these  two  cities.  That  every 
hearer  to-day  embody  in  his  morning  and  even- 
ing prayers  a  like  prayer  to  that  of  John  Knox, 
*Give  us  a  simultaneous  mission  for  these  two 
cities  or  we  die.' 


The  Plan  Adopted  15 


"  'If  ye  abide  in  Me  and  my  words  abide  in 
you,  ye  shall  ask  what  ye  will  and  it  shall  be 
done  unto  you.'  " 

While  Dr.  Thurgood  was  speaking  a  group 
of  ministers  were  in  another  room  of  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  Building  earnestly  considering  the  ques- 
tion of  a  union  effort,  and  w^ondering  how  it 
could  be  brought  about.  This  address  was  the 
answer  to  their  earnest  desires. 

As  the  ministers  listened  to  Mr.  Thurgood, 
as  in  burning  words  he  told  the  story  of  that 
Simultaneous  Mission,  the  thought  began  to 
lay  hold  of  the  mind  and  heart  of  every  one, 
*'VVhy  can't  we  have  a  similar  work  in  Pitts- 
burg and  Allegheny  ?  Why  can't  we,  as  a 
band  of.  Christian  brethren,  join  hands  and 
hearts  for  the  salvation  of  the  perishing  multi- 
tudes that  are  sinking  down  to  eternal  death, 
from  these  cities  of  churches  and  professea 
followers  of  the  Lamb?  Why  can't  we  this  win- 
ter set  aside  or  make  secondary  everything  else 
and  the  one  church  of  Christ  preach  salvation, 
and  have  for  our  one  watchword — Evangelism?" 

No  sooner  was  the  address  referred  to  fin- 
ished than  Dr.  S.  A.  Hunter,  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  was  on  his  feet  to  move  that 
a  committee  be  appointed  to  wait  on  the  differ- 
ent Ministerial  Associations  with  a  view  to  se- 
curing the  appointment  of  representatives  of 
each  denomination  to  organize  tor  a  Simultane- 
ous Evangelistic  Movement. 


16         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


This  was  done,  and  at  the  meetings  of  the 
Ministerial  Association  on  the  following  Mon- 
day the  matter  was  presented.  After  due  con- 
sideration committees  were  appointed  to  formu- 
late a  plan.  These  committees  came  together, 
and  agreed  upon  the  plan  which  had  already 
been  prepared  by  the  Evangelistic  Committee 
of  the  Presbyteries  of  Pittsburg  and  Allegheny. 
This  was  not  intended  for  a  union  plan,  but  was 
readily  modified  to  suit  the  new  conditions.  The 
plan  was  approved  by  the  various  ministerial 
associations,  and  according  to  its  provisions 
five  persons  from  each  denomination  taking  part 
were  appointed.  This  preliminary  work  was 
all  completed  by  the  middle  of  December.  By 
this  time  thirteen  denominations  were  enlisted 
in  the  movement  and  working  heartily  together. 
The  plan  at  that  time  was  to  procure  three 
or  four  earnest  evangelists.  How  little  did  we 
think  of  God's  larger  plan  in  answering  the 
prayer  of  His  people  ! 

A  permanent  organization  was  effected  on 
Nov.  2d  by  the  election  of  Rev.  Joseph  P.  Cal- 
houn, D.  D.  (Presbyterian),  Chairman;  Rev. 
Thomas  J.  Leak,  D.  D.  (iviethodist  Episcopal), 
Vice  Chairman;  Rev.  .John  M.  Moore  (Baptist), 
Secretary;  Mr.  William  C-  Lilley  (Presby- 
terian), Treasurer. 

Shortly  after  his  election  Brother  Moore 
was  invited  to  take  charge  of  a  church  in  Chi- 
cago, and  immediately  withdrew  from  the  work. 
Rev.  H.  C.  Gleiss,  Baptist,  was  chosen  to  fill 
the  vacancy. 


The  Plan  Adopted  17 


This  organization  contiued  to  the  end  of  the 
campaign.  It  should  be  recorded  here  that 
each  officer  was  faithful  in  his  place,  and 
though  almost  strangers  when  the  work  began, 
a  close  attachment  was  formed  that  will  for- 
ever be  a  joy. 

The  plan  under  which  this  organization  was 
effected,  was  approved  by  the  ministerial  asso- 
ciation of  the  thirteen  denominations  interested, 
and  remained  unchanged  through  the  campaign. 
It  is  as  follows  : 

SIMULTANEOUS  EVANGELISTIC  MOVE- 
MENT FOR  PITTSBURG,  ALLE- 
GHENY AND  VICINITY. 

I'. 

There  shall  be  a  General  Committee  of  five 
persons  from  each  denomination  co-operating 
in  the  movement. 

II. 

There  shall  be  a  grouping  of  the  churches 
of  the  city  and  county  into  districts,  as  out- 
lined and  described  by  the  Allgeheny  County 
Bible  School  Association  in  its  report  for  1900- 
1901 — forty-two  districts  in  all.  (See  report, 
page  10-97. 

III. 

There  shall  be  a  Committee  of  Pastors  ap- 
pointed in  each  district  to  arrange  for  a  con- 
ference with  their  brother  ministers,  and  to  or- 
ganize, if  deemed  expedient,  a  union  evangelistic 
effort,  and  that  for  one  week  immediately  pre- 


18         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


ceding  the  Central  Evangelistic  Meeting,  each 
district  shall  hold  union  meetings,  for  confer- 
ence and  prayer. 

IV. 

Pastors,  sessions,  consistories  and  church 
councils  shall  be  urged  to  arrange  at  once  for 
prayer  circles  to  meet  either  in  the  churches 
or  homes,  whose  aim  shall  be  a  deeper  study 
of  the  Word  of  God  in  its  promises  and  pro- 
visions of  grace,  and  definite  prayer  for  the  out- 
pouring of  the  Holy  Spirit  for  the  salvation 
of  the  unsaved. 

V. 

Meetings  for  men  and  meetings  for  women 
shall  be  held  at  such  points  as  may  t)e  most 
convenient  for  conference  and  prayer. 

VI. 

There  shall  be  a  Finance  Committee  of  fif- 
teen persons  who  shall  finance  the  whole  plan. 

VII. 

There  siiall  be  a  series  of  Central  Evan- 
gelistic Meetings  of  two  weeks  duration  held 
at  various  points,  the  following  being  suggested : 
The  downtown  district,  the  East  End,  and  Car- 
negie Music  Hall,  Allegheny,  and  such  other 
points  as  may  seem  wise. 

VIII. 

There  shall  be  a  continuance  of  the  series  im- 
mediately following  the  Central  Evangelistic 
Meetings  for  one  week  in  each  of  the  districts 
agreed  upon. 


The  Plan  Adopted  19 


IX. 

There  shall  be  a  continuance  of  the  series 
in  the  individual  churches  and  the  observance 
of  a  special  day  of  decision,  both  in  the  con- 
gregations and  in  the  Sabbath  Schools,  at  the 
discretion  of  the  pastors,  sessions,  consistories 
and  councils. 

X. 

There  shall  be  a  special  day  of  devotion  in 
the  Union  Ministerial  Association  on  the  second 
Monday  of  January,  1904. 

XI. 

There  shall  be  meetings  of  the  Allegheny 
County  Bible  School  Association,  the  Sabbath 
School  Superintendents,  representatives  of 
Young  People's  Societies  and  representatives  of 
the  Women's  Societies. 

XII. 

There  shall  be  an  invitation  extended  to  the 
churches  of  the  neighboring  counties  and  towns 
to  co-operate  in  this  Evangelistic  campaign. 

Immediately  following  the  adoption  of  this 
plan  the  question  of  reaching  all  parts  of  the 
county  was  considered  by  the  general  commit- 
tee, and  by  a  special  committee  on  organization, 
consisting  of  Rev.  G.  W.  Taft,  chairman ;  Rev. 
O.  L.  Thurgood,  Secretary ;  Rev.  T.  J.  Leak, 
D.  D. ;  Rev.  J.  H.  Prugh,  D.  D.,  and  Mr.  W.  C. 
Lille:v,  and  it  was  decided  to  adopt  the  plan  of 
districting  of  the  Allegheny  County  Bible  School 
Association.   This  work  had  been  carefully  done 


20         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


a  few  years  ago,  and  had  been  printed  in  book 
form  so  that  it  was  in  readiness.  It  wa& 
the  work  of  only  a  few  days  to  select  district 
chairmen,  and  thus  the  whole  county  was  ready 
for  work.  These  district  chairmen  formed  an 
important  agency  in  reaching  the  various  com- 
munities, and  proved  a  most  efficient  corps  of 
helpers.  They  readily  responded  to  the  sugges- 
tions of  the  Central  Committee,  and  made  it 
possible  to  reach  the  churches.  Some  of 
these  districts  were  sub-divided  so  that  when  the 
organization  was  complete  there  were  in  all 
forty-eight  districts  with  their  respective  chair- 
men. The  following  table  gives  the  district 
number  and  name,  with  the  name  of  the  chair- 
men and  the  number  of  churches : 

No.  1 — Downtown. 

Rev.  J.  T.  jlcCrory,  D.  D.,  Chairman. 

Seventeen  Churches- 

No.  2 — Hill  and  Soho. 

Rev.  I.  A.  Barnes,  Chairman. 

Seventeen  Churches^ 

No.  3— Herron  Hill. 

Rev.  L.  N.  Brown,  Chairman. 

Twelve  Churches- 
No.  4 — Oakland  and  Bellefield. 

Rev.  T.  J.  Leak,  D.  D.,  Chairman. 

Nine  Churches- 
No.  5 — Hazelwood. 

Rev.  C.  V.  Wilson,  Chairman. 

Nine  Churches- 
No.  6 — Lawrenceville. 

Rev.  J.  P.  Marlatt,  D.  D-,  Chairman. 

Twenty-six  Churches- 


The  Plan  Adopted  21 


No.  7 — Shadyside. 

Rev.  J.  K.  McClurkin,  D.  D.,  Chairman. 

Twelve  Churches. 

No.  8x^— East  End. 

Rev.  R.  M.  Russell,  D.  D.,  Chairman. 

Tnirty-six  Churches. 

No.  8B— East  End. 

Rev.  W.  A.  Stanton,  D.  D.,  Chairman. 
No.  9 — Homewood. 

Rev.  W.  E.  McCulloch,  Chairman. 

Eleven  Churches. 

No.  lOA— Southside. 

Rev.  S.  A.  Hunter,  LL.  D.,  Chairman. 

Twenty-two  Churches. 

No.  lOB— Southside. 

Rev.  H.  C.  Gleiss,  Chairman. 
No.  11 — Mt.  Washington. 

Rev.  C.  S.  McClelland,  D.  D.,  Chairman. 

Thirteen  Churches. 

No.  12 — Manchester. 

Rev.  J.  S.  Hutson,  D.  D.,  Chairman. 

Twenty-one  Churches. 

No.  13 — Lower  Allegheny. 

Rev.  E.  L.  Eaton,  D.  D.,  Chairman. 

Fifteen  Churches. 
No.  14 — Upper  Allegheny  and  Troy  Hill. 
Rev.  J.  A.  Platts,  Chairman. 

Thirty-three  Churches. 
No  .15 — Observatory  Hill  and  Duquesne  Park. 
Rev.  W.  i.  Wishart,  Chairman. 

Nine  Churches. 

No.  16— Woods  Run, 

Rev.  S.  J.  Glass,  D.  D.,  Chairman. 

Eleven  Churches. 


22         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


No.  17 — Grafton. 

Rev.  W.  W.  YouDgson,  Chairman. 

Xwenty-three  Churches. 

No.  18 — Bakerstown. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Dible,  Chairman. 

Fifteen  Churches. 

No.  19 — Tarentum. 

Rev.  J.  H.  Kendall,  Chairman. 

Twenty-nine  Churches. 

No.  20— Northwest. 

Rev.  W.  T.  Wilson,  Chairman. 

Eight  Churcnes. 

No.  21 — Sewickley. 

Rev.  W.  O.  Campbell,  D.  D.,  Chairman. 

Twelve  Churches. 

No.  22— Emsworth. 

Rev.  J.  H.  Ralston,  Chairman. 

Seven  Churches. 

No.  23 — Avalon  and  Bellevue. 

Rev.  George  Shatter,  Chairman. 

Fifteen  Churches. 

No.  25A — Sharpsburg. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Duff,  Chairman. 

Twenty-nine  Churches. 

No.  25B — Sharpsburg. 

Rev.  T.  M.  Thompson,  I).  D.,  Chairman. 
No.25C — Sharpsburg. 

Rev.  George  Richardson,  Chairman. 
No.  26 — Spring-dale. 

Mr.  Theo.  Hendrickson,  Chairman. 

Six  Churches. 

No.  27 — Oakmont  and  Verona. 

Rev.  G.  W.  Taft,  Chairman. 

Eight  Churches. 


The  Plan  Adopted  23 


No.  28— Penn-Plum. 

Rev.  C.  G.  Hazlett,  Chairman. 

Ten  Churches. 

No.  29— Wilkinsburg. 

Rev.  J.  B.  Markward,  Chairman. 

Nineteen  Churches. 

No.  80— Braddock. 

Rev.  O.  H.  Phillips,  Chairman. 

Twenty-nine  Churches. 

No.  31A— Turtle  Valley. 

Rev.  R.  J.  Bamber,  Chairman. 

Twenty-seven  Churches. 

No.  31B— Wilmerding. 

Rev.  W.  G.  Stewart,  Chairman. 
No.  31C— Pitcairn. 

Rev.  T.  L.  Jamieson,  Chairman. 
No.  32 — Coraopolis. 

Rev.  G.  M.  Owens,  Chairman. 

Nine  Churches. 

No.  33 — McKees  Rocks. 

Rev.   Elson  Brewster,  Chairman. 

Nine  Churches. 

No.  34— Findley. 

Rev.  H.  W.  McCombs,  Chairman. 

I'our  Churches. 

No.  35 — Noblestown. 

Rev.  W.  J.  Cassidy,  Chairman. 

Eight  Churches. 

No.  36 — Carnegie. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Snodgrass,  Chairman. 

Seventeen  Churches. 

No.  37 — Castle  Shannon. 

Rev.  B.  W.  Anthony,  Chairman. 

Seven  Churches. 


24         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


No.  38A — Homestead  and  Duquesne. 
Rev.  J.  L.  Vance,  Chairman. 

Twenty-five  Churches. 
No.  38B — Homestead  and  Duquesne. 

Rev.  D.  J.  Davis,  Chairman. 
No.  39— West  Elizabeth. 

Rev.  M.  B.  Lytle,  Chairman. 

Thirteen  Churches. 

No.  40 — McKeesport. 

Rev.  Kinley  McMillan,  Chairman. 

Thirty-six  Churches. 

No.  41— Elizabeth. 

Rev.  H.  P.  Whitefield,  Chairman. 

Twenty-three  Churches. 

No.  42 — Knoxville. 

Rev.  A.  H.  Jolly,  D.  D.,  Chairman. 

Twenty-two  Churches. 


REV.  W.  E.  BIEDERWOLF 


PROF.  HARRY  MAXWELL 


8 


CHAPTER  IV 


THE  COMMITTEE  AT  WORK 

The  General  Committee  met  every  Monday 
at  1 :30  p.  m.  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  rooms.  These 
meetings  were  characterized  by  earnestness, 
and  intense  anxiety.  Frequently  the  roll 
of  districts  was  called  and  reports  heard 
from  their  chairmen.  A  few  changes  were  made 
in  these  chairmen,  and  several  districts  were 
sub-divided.  Many  questions  were  raised  by 
pastors  and  the  fullest  information  was  given 
to  all,  the  object  being  to  secure  uniformity 
of  action  so  far  as  possible.  Some  time  each  day 
was  spent  in  prayer  and  every  plan  proposed  was 
carefully  considered.  The  district  chairmen  had 
been  invited  to  meet  with  the  committee  and 
take  part  in  its  deliberations.  To  facilitate 
the  business  of  this  committee,  which  now  con- 
sisted of  nearly  one  hundred  persons,  and  of 
whom  more  than  fifty  were  frequently  present, 
an  Executive  Committee  of  Fifteen  was  ap- 
pointed. This  Executive  Committe  was  consti- 
tuted as  follows : 

Executive  Committee. — Rev.  S.  A.  Hunter, 
LL.  D.,  Presbyterian;  Rev.  W.  H.  McMillan, 
D.  D.,  United  Presbyterian;  Rev.  W.  G.  Par- 


26 


The  Pittsburg  Revival 


tridge,  D.  D.,  Baptist ;  Rev.  T.  J.  Leak,  D.  D.^ 
Methodist  Episcopal;  Rev.  O.  L.  Thurgood, 
D.  D.,  Christian;  Rev.  John  R.  Harris,  D.  D.,. 
Cumberland  Presbyterian;  Rev.  Eli  Miller,  Lu- 
theran; Rev.  A.  K.  Kline,  Reformed;  Rev.  S. 
K.  Spahr,  D.  D.,  Methodist  Protestant;  Rev. 
B.  W.  Newton,  Congregational ;  Rev.  J.  L. 
Updegraph,  Church  of  God;  Rev.  J.  S.  Fulton,. 
United  Brethren;  Rev.  S.  W.  Ware,  United 
Evangelical ;  Rev.  Thomas  Watters,  Reformed 
Presbyterian,  N.  S. ;  Rev.  R.  C.  Wylie,  D.  D., 
Reformed  Presbyterian,  O.  S. 

In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the 
plan  adopted  a  Finance  Committee  was  ap- 
pointed, with  Mr.  William  C.  Lilley  as  chair- 
man.   This  committee  was  as  follows : 

Finance  Committee, — William  C.  Lilley, 
W.  Gleffer,  H.  J.  Heinz,  T.  J.  Gillespie,  J. 
Walter  Play,  D.  J.  Evans,  A.  A.  Horne,  Ralph 
W.  Harbison,  George  K.  Stevenson,  W-  A. 
Dinker,  Hon.  W.  H.  Graham,  M.  J.  Ehrenfeld, 
A.  P.  Burchfield,  L.  T.  Yoder,  Hon.  H.  K. 
Porter. 

It  was  soon  found  necessary  to  appoint  the 
following : 

Press  Committee. — Rev.  W.  A.  Jones,  Rev.^ 
J.  W.  Righter,  Rev.  A.  C.  DiefiPenbach. 

Music  Committee, — Rev.  T.  J.  Leak,  D.  D. ; 
Rev.  J.  Allison  Platts,  Rev.  H.  C.  Gleiss. 

Committee  on  Place  of  Meeting, — Rev.  A.  K» 
Kline,  Rev.  J.  Allison  Platts,  Mr.  William  O. 
Lilley,  Rev.  T.  J.  Leak,  D.  D. 

As  we  have  already  stated  some  of  the  dis- 


The  Committee  at  Work 


27 


tricts  were  sub-divided  and  designated  by  the 
letters  of  the  alphabet,  as  for  example.  Dis- 
trict 25  was  sub-divided  25A,  25B  and  25C. 
In  this  way  the  number  of  districts  was  in- 
creased so  that  there  were  in  all  forty-eight 
with  their  respective  chairman. 

Two  months  from  the  time  at  which  the 
movement  was  first  launched  we  had  an  organi- 
zation that  covered  the  entire  County  of  Alle- 
gheny with  its  700  churches,  every  one  of  these 
churches  being  upon  the  roll  of  its  respective 
district,  and  being  invited  to  take  part  in  the 
movement.  Seventeen  denominations  really 
took  action  and  decided  to  take  part 
in  the  movement.  In  addition  to  those 
already  mentioned  as  having  representa- 
tives in  the  committee  we  take  pleasure 
in  adding  here  the  names  of  the  Primitive  Meth- 
odist, German  United  Evangelical,  African 
Methodist  Episcopal  and  Free  Methodist  de- 
nominations. 

These  Monday  meetings  of  the  general 
committee  are  the  very  best  index  of  the 
progress  of  the  work.  Scarcely  a  week 
passed  now  that  we  did  not  have  calls  for  more 
evangelists  or  more  central  meetings.  In  organ- 
izing these  central  meetings  a  Local  Committee 
to  take  charge  of  the  work  was  appointed, 
consisting  of  a  Chairman  of  Personal 
Workers,  a  Chairman  of  Advertising  and 
a  Chairman  of  a  Music  Committee. 
Through  all  of  these  districts  this  plan 
was  cordially  carried  out,  and  the  names  of 


28         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


these  various  committees  form  a  part  of  the 
record  of  the  campaign.  We  would  do  an  in- 
justice to  the  faithful  and  efficient  leaders  in 
this  great  movement  should  we  omit  the  names 
of  any.  We  therefor  take  pleasure  in  record- 
ing the  entire  organization  of  these  nineteen 
central  meetings. 

LIST  OF  COMMITTEES  ON  ARRANGE- 
MENTS FOR  CENTRAL  MEETINGS. 

(1)  Allegheny.— Rev.  E.  L.  Eaton,  D.  D. ; 
Rev.  J.  A.  Platts,  Rev.  W-  H.  McMillan,  D.  D. 

(2)  Downtown. — Rev.  W.  G.  Partridge,  D. 
D.;  Rev.  W.  II.  Rees,  D.  D.;  Rev.  I.  A. 
Barnes. 

(3)  East  Liberty.— Rev.  F.  W.  Sneed,  D.  D.; 
Rev.  R.  M.  Russell,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  W.  A.  Stan- 
ton, D.  D. 

(4)  Home  wood. — Rev.  W.  E.  McCulloch, 
Rev.  R.  W.  Woods,  Rev.  J.  T.  Pender,  Rev. 
W.  S.  Bayne. 

(5)  Oakland.— Rev.  W.  J.  Reid,  Rev.  T.  J. 
Leak,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  H.  '±.  McClelland,  D.  D. ; 
Rev.  John  H.  Prugh,  D.  D. 

(6)  Southside.— Rev.  S.  A.  Hunter,  LL.  D. ; 
Rev.  A.  A.  Nellis,  D.  D.;  Rev.  J.  A.  Wolf, 
D.  D. 

(7)  West  End.— Rev.  David  Flanigan,  Rev. 
W.  W.  Youngson,  Rev.  J.  C-  Bruce,  D.  D. 

(8)  Lawrenc»wille. — Rev.  J.  P.  Marlatt,  D. 
D. ;  Rev.  A.  PI  Linn,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  Thomas 
Griffith,  Rev.  T.  J.  Mclsaac. 


The  Committee  at  Work  29 


(9)  McKeesport. — Rev.  Kinley  McMillan, 
Rev.  J.  T.  Davis,  Rev.  W.  H.  Decker,  Rev.  J. 
W.  Miles. 

(10)  Sharpsburg. — Rev.  T.  M.  Thompson, 
D.  D. ;  Rev.  L.  E.  Davis,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  N.  B. 
Tannehill. 

(11)  Carnegie. — Rev.  J.  A.  Snodgrass,  Rev. 
J.  M.  Duff,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  L.  R.  Jones. 

(12)  Hill  Top.— Rev.  A.  H.  Jolly,  D.  D. ; 
Rev.  George  H.  Flinn,  Ph.  D. ;  Rev.  T.  C.  Mc- 
Kelvey,  D.  D. 

(13)  Mill  vale. — liev.  George  Richardson, 
Rev.  George  H.  McCampbell. 

(14)  Shady  side.— Rev.  J.  K.  McClurkin,  D. 
D. ;  Rev.  Daniel  Dorchester,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  R.  I. 
McKee,  Rev.  W.  P.  Shrom,  D.  D. 

(15)  Woods  Run— Rev.  S.  J.  Glass,  D.  D. : 
Rev.  J.  W.  Hoffman,  Rev.  A.  C.  Dieffenbach, 
Rev.  C  F.  Wishart. 

(16)  Wilmerding.— Rev.  W.  G.  Stewart. 

(17)  Herron  Hill.— Rev.  N.  L.  Brown,  Rev. 
B.  R.  McHatton,  Rev.  W.  H.  Knox. 

(18)  Coraopolis. — Rev.  J.  L.  Cotton,  Mr. 
J.  M.  McCabe,  ivir.  Harry  Anderson,  Mr.  E.  M. 
McGinnis,  Mr.  T.  F.  Watson. 

(19)  Manchester. — Rev.  J.  L.  Hutson,  D.  D. ; 
Rev.  D.  F.  McGill,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  D.  L.  Johnston. 

PERSONAL  WORKERS. 

1.  Mr.  R.  P.  Forsburg. 

2.  Mr.  Nathan  Jones. 

3.  Rev.  W.  S.  Fulton,  D.  D. 


30         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


4.  Rev.  R.  \v .  Woods. 

5.  Mr.  John  D.  Cherry. 

6.  Mr.  Evan  Roberts. 

7.  Rev.  David  Flanigan. 

8.  Mr.  David  R.  Donald. 

9.  Rev.  W.  H.  Decker. 

10.  Rev.  F.  E.  Irwin. 

11.  Mr.  E.  P.  Hazlett. 

12.  Mr.  David  Lyon. 

13.  Mr.  Chas.  A.  Kettler. 

14.  Mr.  T.  J.  Williams. 

15.  Rev.  S.  J.  Glass,  D.  D. 

16.  Rev.  W.  E.  Stewart. 

17.  Rev.  B.  R.  McHatton. 

18.  Rev.  B.  F.  Beazell. 

19.  Mr.  Kennedy,  Mr.  Lambie. 


ADVERTISING. 

1.  Rev.  J.  A.  Platts. 

2.  Rev.  W.  G.  Partridge,  D.  D. 

3.  Rev.  R.  M.  Russell,  D.  D. 

4.  Mr.  Charles  T.  Moore. 

5.  Mr.  Smith,  Rev.  C.  S.  Beatty. 

6.  Mr.  Evan  Roberts. 

7.  Rev.  W.  R.  Thompson. 

8.  Rev.  C.  P.  Wiles. 

9.  Rev.  J.  A.  Maxwell. 

10.  Rev.  J.  H.  Main. 

11.  Rev.  J.  A.  Snodgrass. 

12.  Rev.  J'red  M.  Gordon. 

13.  Mr.  W.  H.  Leonard. 

14.  Dr.  W.  Henry  Thompson. 

15.  Rev,  C.  F.  Wishart. 


The  Committee  at  Work  31 


16.  Rev.  J.  B.  Ricketts. 

17.  Rev.  W.  H.  Knox. 

18.  Mr.  O.J.  Gross. 

19.  Rev.  D.  F.  McGill,  D.  D. 


MUSIC. 

1.  Rev.  George  Robinson,  D.  D. 

2.  Mr.  Norman  Hassler. 

3.  Mr.  L.  S.  McKeever. 

4.  Mr.  Anderson. 

5.  Prof.  R.  H.  Holbrook. 

6.  Prof.  G.  L.  Smink. 

7.  Rev.  W.  R.  Thompson. 

8.  Prof.  R.  A.  Jennings. 

9.  Rev.  J.  E.  Walker. 

10.  Rev.  L.  E.  Davis. 

11.  Prof.  R.  M.  Kay. 

12.  Rev.  George  Sheets. 

13.  Mr.  Chas.  A.  Theobald. 

14.  Rev.  J.  K.  McClurkin,  D.  D. 

15.  Rev.  J.  W.  Hofeman. 

16.  Rev.  O.  H.  P.  Graham. 

17.  Rev.  B.  R.  McHatton. 

18.  Mr.  F.  H.  Stark. 

19.  Mr.  Arthur  Hutson. 


The  first  general  or  circular  letter  sent  out 
by  the  committee  bears  date  of  December  18, 
1903.  The  letter  is  now  historic.  The  spirit 
of  the  movement  is  in  it.  The  plans  it  sug- 
gests were  to  a  great  extent  carried  out.  It 
might  well  have  been  writen  at  the  end  of  the 


32         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


Campaign  as  a  record  of  what  was  done,  only 
that  it  should  be  multiplied  tenfold. 

We  reproduce  that  letter  in  full  as  a  portion 
of  the  history  of  a  great  movement  and  also  to 
record  the  names  of  the  denominations  which  had 
faith  in  the  plan  and  gave  their  influence  to  it : 

Pittsburgh,  Dec.  18,  1903. 
To  Pastor  and  People : 
Dear  Brethren — 
We  desire  to  enlist  your  special  interest  and 
hearty  co-operation  in  the  Union  effort  of  all 
denominations  for  a  Simultaneous  Evangelistic 
Movement  in  the  two  cities,  and  throughout 
the  county,  during  this  winter.  By  suggestion 
of  the  Union  Ministerial  Association  all  the 
denominational  associations  have  appointed  rep- 
resentatives who  constitute  a  central  committee 
having  the  work  in  charge.  In  planning  the 
work  the  divisions  of  the  Allegheny  County 
Bible  School  Association  have  been  adopted, 
making  42  districts  in  all ;  and  chairmen  have 
been  appointed  in  each  district  to  organize  the 
work.  According  to  the  plan  adopted,  a  copy 
of  which  is  herewith  enclosed,  each  district  is 
asked  to  hold  a  week's  Union  Meetings  of  Con- 
ference and  Prayer,  preceding  a  series  of  Central 
Evangelistic  Meetings  to  be  held  simultaneously 
at  different  points  in  the  two  cities.  Dr.  Chapman 
has  been  invited  to  assume  direction  of  the 
work,  and  will  have  associated  with  him  other 
earnest  evangelists — we  hope  to  have  Dr.  A. 


REV.   E.   F.  HALLENBECK 


The  Committee  at  Work  33 


C.  Dixon  among  the  number.  At  the  close  of 
the  Central  Meetings,  the  different  districts  are 
asked  to  hoid  Union  Meetings  for  another  week 
in  order  that  all  may  be  brought  into  unison. 
After  that  each  church  is  asked  to  continue 
meetings  of  its  own.  The  time  fixed  for  the 
District  Meetings  to  begin  is  February  7th, 
and  for  the  Central  Meetings  to  be  held  is 
February  14th-28th,  after  which  the  District 
Meetings  are  to  be  resumed,  and  then  meetings 
in  the  Local  Church  begun. 

We  realize,  dear  brethren,  that  under  the 
blessing  of  Almighty  God  the  success  of  this 
effort  will  depend  mainly  upon  the  co-operation 
of  the  churches  and  their  pastors.  The  plan 
is  designed  to  be  a  flexible  one,  and  churches 
and  districts  are  entirely  at  liberty  to  adapt 
it  to  local  conditions,  though  we  hope  it  will 
be  adhered  to  as  nearly  as  possible.  There 
are  some  things,  however,  that  are  necessary 
for  its  success  everywhere,  viz.,  earnest,  united 
and  continued  prayer,  renewed  study  of  the 
work  of  God,  and  both  united  and  individual 
work  for  winning  souls.  The  weakness  of 
similar  movements  in  the  past  has  been  partly 
in  failure  to  concentrate  the  strength  of  the 
united  movement  upon  the  local  church.  We 
are  fully  persuaded  that  it  should  begin  there 
and  end  there.  But  we  all  recognize  the  power 
of  united  effort :  and  we  therefore  earnestly  and 
fraternally  urge  and  invite  you  to  join  with  us 
in  this  movement.  The  effect  of  all  the  churches 
being  engaged  at  one  time  in  evangelistic  meet- 
2 


34         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


ings  could  not  but  be  beneficial  upon  the  com- 
munity at  large. 

Will  you  not  prepare  at  once  for  this  move- 
ment in  your  own  church  by  organizing  a 
circle,  or  circles,  for  prayer  and  devotional 
study  of  the  Word  of  Crod,  to  meet  either  in 
the  church,  or  in  the  homes  of  the  people,  in 
order  to  unitedly  seek  the  blessing  of  God  upon 
this  effort,  without  which  it  will  be  in  vain. 

Yours  in  the  work  of  the  Lord, 

This  letter  was  signed  by  ministers  and  laymen 
of  the  following  denominations  : 

Baptist. 
Cheistian. 
Church  of  God. 
Congregational. 
Lutheran. 

Methodist  Protestant. 
Methodist  Episcopal. 
Presbyterian. 
Reformed. 

Reformed  Presbyterian. 
Unitei>  Evangelical. 
United  Presbyterian. 
Cumberland  Presbyterian. 


CHAPTER  V 

IN  THE  OFFICE,  331  FOURTH  AVE. 

In  the  early  part  of  January  it  was  decided 
to  open  an  office  in  order  to  handle  the  work 
of  the  campaign.  Mr.  Lilley  soon  found  a. 
place  in  the  Fitzsimmons  Building,  831  Fourth 
Avenue,  and  engaged  three  commodious  rooms 
numbered  503,  504  and  505.  These  he  imme- 
diately arranged  for  the  accommodation 
of  an  office  force.  He  had  signs  made  for  the 
doors  and  windows  announcing  the  business  to 
be  transacted  within.  He  procured  three  good 
desks,  three  Remington  typewriters,  a  number 
of  small  tables,  a  telephone  and  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  chairs  to  accommodate  the  crowds  that 
frequented  the  office  during  the  next  twa 
months.  Two  stenographers  were  immediately 
employed.  A  press  agent,  Mr.  J.  N.  Patterson, 
was  assigned  to  one  of  the  rooms.  Dr.  Calhoun 
occupied  another,  and  the  third  was  given  over 
to  the  general  work  of  the  office. 

Dr.  Calhoun  began  his  work  in  the 
office  on  January  14th,  and  from  the  first 
day  was  overwhelmed  with  the  work  that 
was  heaped  up  daily  upon  his  desk.  Mr. 
Gleiss,    the    secretary,    was    not    able  ta 


36         The  Pittsbutg  Revival 


be  in  the  office  all  the  time,  so  that  the 
larger  portion  of  the  work  was  left  to  Dr.  Cal- 
houn. In  a  few  days  he  saw  it  would  be  im- 
possible for  him  to  carry  on  the  work  of  the 
office  with  its  growing  correspondence  and  inr- 
creasing  demand  for  help  in  the  field.  On 
January  27th  the  writer,  who  has  been  a  life- 
long friend  of  Dr.  Calhoun,  was  asked  to  aid 
in  the  work  of  the  office.  I  shall  not  forget 
the  worried  look  of  Dr.  Calhoun  and  his  ex- 
clamation, "There  is  work  enough  for  ten  men 
here ;  you  miist  help  me."  Turning  from  a  busy 
pastorate  at  a  time  when  much  work  was 
j)ressing,  the  writer  began  his  work  in  the 
office  immediately. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  the  work 
was  begun  without  tools.  We  had  not 
a  preliminary  organization.  There  was 
confusion  in  the  office  because  we  did  not  know 
even  the  names  and  addresses  of  the  ministers  in 
the  county.  Six  hundred  names  must  be  procured. 
The  District  Chairman  must  be  reached,  and 
communication  established  with  each  one  of 
these.  Changes  must  be  made  in  an  organiza- 
tion that  at  first  had  been  made  only  as  tenta- 
tive, and  some  found  it  impossible  to  carry  on 
the  work  assigned  them. 

We  did  not  know  the  ministry  of  the  vari- 
ous denominations,  because  up  to  this 
time  we  had  not  come  in  touch  with 
them.  We  had  heard  the  names  of 
some,  and  had  seen  the  faces  of  a  few,  but 
now   we  must  search  out   every  minister  in 


In  the  Office 


37 


Allegheny  County  connected  with  fifteen  de- 
nominations, and  address  personal  letters  to 
each  concerning  the  Master's  work.  This  was 
no  small  undertaking.  It  was  necessary  from 
the  first  to  reach  these  brethren  in  such  a  way 
as  to  awaken  their  interest  in  the  Evangelistic 
movement.  Ten  thousand  copies  of  a  leaflet, 
"The  Call  to  Prayer,"  were  distributed  from 
the  oflice,  and  with  them  a  card  called,  "The 
Circle  of  Prayer,"  being  a  pledge  for  the  indi- 
vidual to  sign,  engaging  to  pray  for  the  bless- 
ing of  God  upon  the  work.  We  believe  that 
this  literature  did  much  good  in  stirring  up 
the  people. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  campaign  quite 
a  number  of  the  42  districts  in  the  county 
seemed  to  take  but  little  interest.  A  few 
of  them,  as  Sewickley  and  Tarentum,  hav- 
ing previously  held  services,  sent  most  cordial 
expressions  of  sympathy  with  the  movement, 
but  did  not  undertake  to  carry  out  the  plan 
of  the  campaign.  In  some  other  cases  the 
chairmen  of  the  districts  were  changed  for  vari- 
ous reasons,  and  in  almost  every  case  we  found 
these  chairmen  interested  in  the  work. 

At  this  point  in  the  movement  we  began 
to  realize  that  a  great  work  was  before  us.  We 
had  started  with  the  idea  of  three  central 
meetings.  That  number  had  now  grown  to  about 
ten,  and  almost  every  day  requests  were  com- 
ing from  other  sections  desiring  central  meet- 
ings. The  time  for  beginning  the  meetings 
had  been  fixed  for  February  14th.    That  date 


38  The  Pittsburg  Revival 


same  mail  brought  the  answer  to  the  people's 
was  now  scarcely  two  weeks  distant.  We 
had  expected  to  carry  on  the  work  with  four 
or  five  evangelists,  but  each  morning's  mail 
brought  requests  for  others,  and  sometimes  the 
prayer.  Indeed,  after  a  few  days'  work  in  the 
office  we  began  to  see  that  the  guiding  hand  of  the 
Master  was  in  it  all,  and  that  our  part  in 
answering  telephone  or  letter  was  only  as  his 
weak  instruments  in  bringing  together  those 
whom  he  had  appointed  in  his  service.  We 
never  had  a  call  for  an  evangelist  that  waited 
two  days  for  an  answer,  and  we  never  had 
an  evangelist  offered  that  we  did  not  have 
a  call  for  him  in  less  than  two  days.  Once  an 
evangelist  without  employment  stepped  into  the 
office  unexpected  by  us.  After  learning  his 
mission  we  said,  "Be  seated  and  wait.  There 
wall  be  work  for  you,  we  are  sure."  In  a  short 
time  a  minister  stepped  in  earnestly  desiring 
an  evangelist.  He  secured  the  one  who  had 
tlius  come  without  employment.  It  was  only 
one  of  numerous  incidents  of  the  Lord's  leading 
in  the  work  of  the  office. 

There  was  much  worry  in  the  office  about 
the  hymn  books.  It  was  decided  to  use  *'Songs 
of  Praise,"  a  book  compiled  by  Dr.  Chapman. 
They  were  printed  in  Lansing,  Mich.,  and  sent 
in  three  separate  shipments.  From  the  dis- 
tricts that  had  now  been  organized  urgent  re- 
quests were  coming  for  the  hymn  books  even 
before  they  had  arrived.  As  time  passed  on 
there  w^ere  calls  for  nearly  10,000  books,  and 


In  the  Office 


39 


yet  we  had  only  received  3,000,  but  to  our  sur- 
prise and  gratification  just  the  day  before  the 
great  meetings  began  we  were  notified  by  tele- 
phone that  the  last  lot  of  our  books  was  in  the 
freight  yards,  ready  for  use,  and  before  the 
day  closed  every  central  meeting  was  supplied 
with  books. 

At  the  request  of  the  evangelists  ^^Inquirers' 
Cards^^  and  ''Decision  Cards'*  were  prepared  and 
distributed  to  all  the  meetings.  How  many  of 
these  were  used  we  have  no  means  of  know- 
ing. All  we  do  know  is  that  of  the  35,000 
printed  all  were  sent  out  to  the  different  meet- 
ings. Fifteen  hundred  badges  for  the  singers 
were  also  prepared  and  distributed,  sometimes 
to  the  leaders  of  the  choirs  and  sometimes 
directly  to  singers  themselves.  It  is  probable 
that  fully  2,000  of  those  who  are  accustomed 
to  aid  in  the  praise  services  of  the  churches 
took  part  in  the  various  meetings. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  phases  of  the 
work  both  in  the  office  and  in  the  meetings 
was  that  or  enrolling  and  commissioning  per- 
sonal workers.  It  was  a  plan  of  the  evangelists 
to  have  some  earnest  Christian,  who  was  willing, 
speak  a  word  to  any  one  who  might  be- 
come interested  at  any  of  the  meetings-  In 
order  to  facilitate  this  work  these  personal 
workers  were  generally  assigned  to  three  or  four 
pews.  The  names  of  these  personal  workers 
were  sent  to  the  office,  and  a  personal  worker's 
card  containing  the  following  message  was  sent 
to  each  of  them: 


40  The  Pittsburg  Revival 


Dear  Christian  Friend: 

You  are  duly  commissioned  as  a  personal 
worker.  Much  depends  on  you.  This  card  will 
admit  you  to  all  meetings  and  serve  to  introduce 
you  to  the  Chief  Usher,  who  will  assign  you 
your  work.  Present  this  card  at  the  place  of 
meeting  one-half  hour  before  the  service  be- 
gins.   God  may  use  you  to  win  a  soul. 

Pray  earnestly.  Go  early. 

The  Evangelistic  Committee. 

Fifteen  hundred  of  these  cards  were  used,  and 
from  reports  in  many  of  the  meetings  we  feel 
assured  that  there  was  enlisted  in  this  work 
as  consecrated  and  efficient  a  corps  of  Christian 
workers  as  could  be  found  in  any  city.  Why 
should  it  not  be  so  when  they  were  picked 
from  these  various  denominations  by  their  pas- 
tors and  selected  because  of  their  peculiar  fit- 
ness for  this  work,  from  five  to  ten  of  them 
being  taken  from  each  congregation?  They 
were  frequently  seen  in  the  meetings  on  their 
knees  in  a  pew  pleading  with  God  for  the  salva- 
tion of  some  inquiring  soul,  in  the  aisles  or 
vestibules  of  the  churches  were  speaking  to 
those  with  whom  they  might  come  in  contact, 
urging  them  to  give  their  hearts  to  Christ, 
in  the  after-meetings  and  inquiry  rooms, 
praying  with  those  whom  they  had  influenced 
to  come  to  these  meetings.  Not  infrequently 
before  the  services  closed  a  stubborn  heart  had 
yieldea  to  Christ,  and  there  was  the  first  joy 


REV.  R.  A.  WALTON,  D.  D. 


11 


REV.  JAMES  B.  ELY,  D.  D. 


In  the  Office 


41 


of  a  soul  reclaimed  from  sin.  No  doubt  it  was 
a  new  experience  for  many  of  these  earnest 
Christians  who  had,  up  to  that  time,  not  con- 
sidered themselves  capable  of  speaking  a  word 
for  Christ,  but  this  was  a  training  school  for 
them  that  has  added  efficiency  in  every  church. 
In  the  years  to  come  these  personal  work- 
ers will  be  the  "minute  men,"  the  ready  help- 
ers of  many  pastors. 

The  fear  of  speaking  a  word  that  would 
give  offense  has  passed  away,  and  many 
a  willing  tongue  dropped  a  word  in  a  will- 
ing ear.  Though  the  response  was  not 
always  that  of  a  soul  returning  to  Christ,  there 
was  no  offense,  and  it  was  surprising  to  all  how 
easy  of  approach  those  were  who  were  in  the 
meetings.  Though  they  might  not  be  deeply 
affected,  I  Relieve  it  is  true  that  almost  every 
one  who  attended  the  meetings  expected  to  be 
brought  into  personal  contact  with  those  who 
were  seeking  souls.  Sometimes  a  flippant  reply 
was  ready,  but  often  and  often  those  who  came 
without  an  interest  went  away  earnest  seekera 
of  Christ.  How  many  souls  were  plucked  as 
brands  from  the  burning  by  these  earnest  seek- 
ers of  souls  eternity  only  can  tell,  but  we  do 
believe  that  with  many  of  them  it  will  be  said 
that  they  have  turned  some  to  righteousness 
who  will  shine  with  them  as  the  stars  forever 
and  ever.  May  God  grant  his  richest  blessin£r» 
and  the  precious  assurance  of  having  rendered 
a  service  to  our  Lord  and  Master  to  this  conse- 
crated company  of  personal  workers,  and  may 
2* 


42         The  Fittsbwfg  Revival 


the  blue  card  which  bears  their  commission  be 
to  them  a  symbol  of  that  great  mission  which 
has  enabled  them  to  minister  to  others  as  the 
Master  ministered  to  many  wnen  he  was  among 
men. 

The  offices  of  the  committee  were  not  merely 
a  place  for  the  transaction  of  the  business  per- 
taining to  the  campaign,  but  they  naturally 
became  a  center  of  spiritual  influence.  Minis- 
ters came  there  with  the  burden  of  their 
churches  upon  their  hearts,  and  poured  forth 
their  desires  in  expressions  that  must  have 
been  heard  at  the  throne  of  God.  Women  came 
weeping  and  telling  of  the  needs  of  wandering 
ones  about  them,  and  asking  for  help  in  special, 
work. 

Occasionally  a  company  came  together  to 
plan  and  to  pray  for  some  needy  work. 
Evalgelists  came  to  tell  how  God  had 
blessed  them  in  their  various  fields,  and  occa- 
sionally an  unknown  servant  of  God  dropped 
in  to  leave  a  contribution  for  the  work  and 
refused  to  give  his  name.  Very  many  times 
in  the  office  little  groups  would  be  gathered  in 
different  parts  of  the  rooms  in  earnest  con- 
versation. There  was  the  utmost  cheerfulness 
on  the  part  of  those  who  came,  but  every  one 
was  urgent,  each  felt  the  burden  of  his  own 
work,  and  was  unwilling  that  it  should  be 
set  aside.  He  came  oppressed  with  a  great 
burden,  feeling  luat  it  was  the  Lord's  cause, 
and  it  should  not  be  lightly  considered. 

Some  times,  it  is  true,  there  were  little  difficul- 


In  the  Office 


43 


ties  that  had  to  be  adjusted.  The  record  of  these 
cannot  be  published,  but  this  much  we  can 
say  that  of  all  the  complaints  and  troubles 
that  came  to  the  office,  where  brethren  felt 
that  they  were  aggrieved  or  even  wronged,  there 
was  the  most  cordial  teeling  manifested,  and 
every  trouble  vanished  by  the  blessing  of  the 
Lord.  Those  who  were  offended  with  each  other 
were  soon  at  peace,  and  the  work  that  seemed  to 
be  endangered  by  ill-feeling  received  a  new  im- 
pulse through  the  spirit  of  forgiveness  and 
gentleness  which  prevailed  in  every  case.  We 
are  grateful,  indeed,  to  make  this  record,  and 
especially  glad  when  we  remember  that  pastors 
and  workers  with  all  their  local  interests  and 
personal  ambitions  entered  into  the  work.  These 
were  readily  overcome  by  the  gracious  opera- 
tions of  the  Spirit  of  God  upon  them  in  this 
united  effort. 

We  are  grateful,  to  record,  with  the 
harmony  and  good  fellowship  that  was  mani- 
fested in  all  the  meetings.  In  many  instances 
the  details  of  the  work  had  to  be  wrought  out 
in  a  personal  correspondence.  Questions  must 
be  answered,  misunderstandings  corrected, 
new  workers  instructed,  and  everything  done 
quickly.  We  could  not  put  aside  the  letters 
received  to-day  to  be  answered  next  week.  The 
answer  must  be  immediate. 

We  did  not  have  much  to  do  with  the  finan- 
cial problems,  as  they  were  so  effectively  cared 
for  by  the  Finance  Committee,  but  the  en- 
velopes for  taking  collections,  about  75,000  in 


44         The  Pittsburgh  Revival 


number,  were  sent  out  from  the  office,  and  each 
week  during  February  about  1,000  notices  were 
Bent  out  to  the  ministers  of  the  county,  and 
of  surrounding  towns,  announcing  the  Monday 
meetings  which  were  of  so  much  interest.  Then 
arrangements  were  made  in  the  office  for  meet- 
ings that  were  held  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  the  Y.  W.  0.  A.  in  shops  and 
factories  and  the  Bethel  Home  on  Duquesne 
way. 

The  work  of  the  Press  Committee  deserves 
notice  here.  This  committee,  consisting  of 
Rev.  Wm.  A.  Jones,  Rev.  J.  W.  Righter  and 
Rev.  A.  C.  Dieffenbach,  had  in  charge  the  work 
of  advertising  the  meetings.  Their  skill  in 
managing  this  part  of  the  work  is  evident 
from  the  great  interest  taken  in  the  movement 
by  the  daily  papers  of  the  city  and  also  by  the 
numerous  ways  devised  by  them  in  introducing 
the  work  of  the  committee.  They  prepared 
large  posters  wnich  were  conspicuous  on  the 
bill  boards  about  the  city.  Window  cards  were 
printed  and  distributed  wherever  they  could  be 
used.  Small  slips  and  "dodgers"  were  printed 
and  scattered  broadcast  throughout  the  city,  so 
that  wherdrer  one  turned  the  Evangelistic 
Movement  was  in  evidence. 

In  addition  to  this  general  work  each 
central  meeting  was  thoroughly  advertised. 
Pictures  of  evangelists  and  singers  were 
made,  and  the  faces  of  the  whole  corps 
of  workers  became  familiar  to  the  people 
A  daily  program  was  given  to  the  papers.  Notices 


In  the  Oifice  45 


of  special  meetings  were  published  or  sent  out 
on  printed  cards.  It  was  not  an  uncommon 
thing  to  print  and  distribute  10,000  announce- 
ments of  a  single  meeting,  and  the  variety  of 
this  printed  matter,  both  in  type  and  coloring 
of  paper,  with  shape  and  size,  were  a  study  to 
those  who  were  interested  in  advertising 
schemes.  Some  were  printed  in  two  or  three 
colors,  some  were  cut  to  attract  attention  by 
their  form,  some  were  fiery  red,  while  others 
took  the  sombre  blue,  but  all  seemed  to  attract 
attention  and  do  their  work.  The  advertising 
motto,  "Keep  everlastingly  at  it,"  seemed  to 
have  been  adopted  by  this  committee,  and  again 
the  worth  of  the  motto  was  proved. 

The  Secular  press  of  the  city  never 
gave  such  attention  to  a  religious  move- 
ment as  they  did  to  this.  The  efiicient  Press 
Agent  worked  with  an  unwearied  hand,  and 
with  marvelous  skill  to  prepare  material  for 
the  papers.  Once  this  work  was  started  report- 
ers were  constantly  in  attendance  at  the  meet- 
ings, and  three  or  four  of  them  might  have 
been  found  in  the  office  of  the  Committee  every 
day  inquiring  for  news.  The  best  reports  that 
we  have  to-day  of  the  meetings  were  those  pre- 
pared by  the  reporters  of  the  Secular  press- 
All  that  they  said  has  been  carefully  clipped 
and  preserved,  and  forms  an  exceedingly  inter- 
esting volume.  These  reports  would  make  a 
book  of  2,000  pages  like  this. 

It  was  through  our  efficient  Press  Agent 
that  the  associated  press  throughout  the  coun- 


46         The  Pittsburg:  Revival 


try  received  news  of  the  movement.  In  almost 
every  local  paper  in  the  counties  surrounding 
our  city,  even  hundreds  of  miles  away,  inter- 
esting reports  were  published.  This  accounts 
in  part  for  the  widespread  interest  in  the  cam- 
paign. God  prepared  the  way,  and  we  used 
all  these  agencies  for  the  advancement  of  his 
work,  and  for  the  time  being  at  least  these  in- 
struments seemed  to  be  sanctified  and  made  meet 
for  his  use.  May  God  speed  the  day  when 
these  potent  agencies  for  disseminating  knowl- 
edge shall  speak  only  that  which  is  right,  and 
in  the  Master's  name  shall  "publish  peace." 


CHAPTER  VI 


SHOWERS  OF  BLESSING 

As  indicated  in  the  general  plan  it  was  agreed 
that  the  beginning  should  be  in  the  good  old 
way  of  cottage  prayer  meetings.  A  letter  was 
sent  out  from  the  office  January  19th,  as 
follows  : 

•'God  is  blessing  our  work.  The  meetings  of 
the  General  Committee  are  growing  in  interest 
and  enthusiasm  every  week.  Additional  cen- 
tral meetings  are  being  asked  for.  We  all  feel 
that  it  is  of  vital  importance  that  every  church 
be  thoroughly  organized  and  interested.  The 
district  chairmen  have  been  responding  with  a 
good  heart,  and  in  most  of  the  districts  much 
preparatory  work  has  been  well  done. 

*'At  the  general  meeting  Monday  last,  it  was 
resolved  that  each  chairman  be  asked  to  secure : 

"(1)  Cottage  prayer  meetings  in  each  con- 
gregation at  once,  and  to  continue  until  Feb- 
ruary 7th. 

*'(2)  Arrange  program  for  union  prayer 
meetings  for  week  beginning  February  7th. 

**(3)  Secure  names  and  addresses  in  each 
church  in  your  district  of  persons  who  will  go 


48         The  Pittsbtjf  g  Revival 


to  the  nearest  central  meeting  to  usher  or  to 
do  personal  work  for  souls ;  also  of  singers  who 
will  join  the  chorus  choir  in  the  nearest  central 
meeting;  these  names  and  addresses  to  be  for- 
warded to  the  central  office  as  soon  as  secured. 

*'(4)  Secure  an  exchange  of  pastors  in  the 
morning  service  of  the  Lord's  Day,  February 
7th,  each  minister  to  preach  in  relation  to  the 
Simultaneous  Movement  in  Allegheny  County. 

"(5)  The  pastors  of  each  district  to  meet 
once  each  week,  or  oftener,  to  pray  for  the 
baptism  of  tne  Holy  Spirit  to  the  end  that  the 
church  may  be  quickened  and  unbelievers  saved. 

"(6)  Bring  or  send  each  Monday,  to  meet- 
ing of  General  Committee,  a  brief  written  re- 
port of  progress  of  work  in  your  district. 

* 'Kindly  send  to  this  office  program  of  meet- 
ings for  week  of  February  7th." 

In  response  to  this  appeal  the  churches  ar- 
ranged these  cottage  prayer  meetings.  It  is  im- 
possible even  to  estimate  how  many  were  held. 
Some  churches  reported  as  many  as  forty  or 
fifty,  while  smaller  numbers  were  reported  by 
others.  These  meetings  were  not  the  assem- 
bling of  the  multitudes.  Generally  they  were 
a  little  company  of  Christians  scarcely  filling 
an  ordinary  parlor,  but  earnest  prayers  were 
offered,  hymns  were  sung,  and  short  talks  by 
laymen  were  given  which  stirred  the  people. 
Many  of  these  meetings  were  of  unusual  inter- 
est. It  was  evident  that  the  Spirit  of  God  was 


Showers  of  Blessmgf  49 


at  work  in  the  dwellings  of  the  people,  and  in 
these  little  groups  souls  were  converted,  and 
God's  children  refreshed.  It  was  understood 
that  the  meetings  should  bo  short,  but  we  have 
heard  of  more  than  one  of  them  that  was  pro- 
longed almost  to  the  midnight  hour,  and  none 
were  wearied  with  the  service. 

On  January  22,  the  following  letter  was 
sent  to  all  the  ministers  of  the  county : 

"On  Monda.y  last  at  the  meeting  of  the  Gen- 
eral Committee  in  charge  of  the  Simultaneous 
Evangelistic  Movement,  it  was  resolved  that  the 
central  office  be  instructed  to  open  correspon- 
dence with  every  minister  in  the  county  whose 
denomination  is  represented  in  our  plan  of 
work ;  the  object  of  the  correspondence  being 
to  secure  the  active  interest  and  co-operation 
of  all  the  ministers. 

"It  was  further  resolved,  that,  from  now  un- 
til the  close  of  the  campaign,  all  the  pastors 
be  requested  to  make  the  preaching  and  all  the 
church  services  evangelistic  in  character  with 
special  reference  to  the  work  before  us. 

"We  fully  realize  that  every  pastor  must 
arrange  according  to  the  special  needs  and  con- 
ditions of  his  own  church. 

"Wherever  the  way  is  open,  we  plead  for 
earnest  co-operation  with  the  plan  of  the 
Simultaneous  Movement.  Thirteen  denomina- 
tions are  now  enlisted,  and  there  is  much  reason 
for  encouragement  in  the  manifest  blessing  of 
God  upon  the  present  movement  in  our  midst, 


50         The  Pittsburg  Rveival 

for  the  quickening  of  the  churches  and  the  sal- 
vation of  multitudes.  The  need  is  overwhelm- 
ing. There  are  faithful  servants  of  Christ  in 
every  church ;  but  every  pastor  has  a  burden 
on  his  heart  because  of  members  who  seem  to 
be  indifferent  as  to  their  own  spiritual  life,  and 
unconcerned  as  to  the  peril  of  the  unsaved.  Out 
in  the  streets  and  in  the  homes  of  our  cities 
are  perishing  thousands  who  never  cross  the 
threshold  of  any  church.  They  are  traveling 
into  eternity  witnout  salvation.  They  cannot 
be  saved  without  a  quickened  church.  Our 
prayer  is  for  an  awakened  church.  We  have 
no  faith  in  any  plan  or  method  save  as  it  may 
be  a  means  to  the  end  that  the  unbelieving  world 
may  be  saved.  We  plead  for  Pentecostal 
prayer,  united,  continued,  believing  prayer  for 
the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit : 

"(1)  In  secret,  at  the  family  altar,  and 
in  the  public  assembly. 

"(2)  By  holding  cottage  or  neighborhood 
meetings  simultaneously  in  various  districts 
in  each  congregation ;  and  a  liberal  use  of  the 
prayer  leaflets  and  cards,  according  to  the 
best  judgment  of  each  pastor. 

"(3)  By  union  prayer  meetings  during  the 
week  beginning  February  7th. 

*'(4)  That  each  pastor  will  send,  without 
delay,  to  the  chairman  of  his  district  or  to  this 
office,  the  names  and  addresses  of  persons  who 
will  serve  as  ushers  or  personal  workers. 

"(5)  That  each  pastor  will  arrange  an  ex- 
change of  pulpits  with  a  brother  pastor  for  tne 


Showers  of  Blessing  51 


morning  service  of  February  7th.  iiiach  min- 
ister to  preach  an  awakening  sermon  with 
special  reference  to  the  Simultaneoua  Evangelis- 
tic Movement.  It  would  also  be  much  appre- 
ciated if  each  preacher  would  send  to  this  office, 
in  care  of  Mr.  I'atterson,  press  agent,  a  very- 
brief  abstract  containing  the  gist  of  this 
special  sermon. 

"It  would  also  be  helpful  if  you  will  kindly 
report  the  number  of  praj^er  meetings  held  in 
your  congregation  each  week  with  any  other 
items  of  interest  relating  to  the  progress  of 
the  movement." 

The  effect  of  this  appeal  was  manifest  all 
over  the  county,  and  its  suggestions  were  car- 
ried out  to  a  wonderful  extent.  If  it  be  borne 
in  mind  that  these  letters  were  sent  out  by 
a  committee  without  ecclesiastical  authority, 
and  that  all  they  proposed  could  only  be  re- 
garded as  suggestions  which  might  or  might  not 
be  followed,  it  is  even  more  surprising  that 
there  was  such  general  consent  to  the  plan. 
The  cottage  prayer  meetings  and  conferences 
were  held  everywhere,  and  immediately  lists 
of  names  of  personal  workers  and  ushers  and 
singers  were  sent  to  the  central  office,  indicating 
tEe  widespread  willingness  of  the  members  of 
the  church  to  do  their  part  in  the  good  work. 

A  unique  service  in  this  connection  was  the 
pulpit  exchanges  in  the  various  districts  recom- 
mended in  the  letter.  Very  few  pastors  were 
in  their  own  pulpits  on  that  memorable  day. 
Neighboring  pastors  of  different  denominations 


52 


The  Pittsburg  Revival 


wnose  churches  were  on  the  same  streets  or  in  the 
same  vicinity  exchanged  pulpits.  Every  min- 
ister was  at  his  best,  not  because  he  had  his 
best  sermon,  but  because  he  was  afire  with  the 
Spirit  of  God.  The  messages  of  that  day  had 
a  wonderful  influence  upon  the  congregations. 
The  people  for  once  were  not  afraid  to  speak 
in  praise  of  the  pastor  of  the  church  across 
the  way.  He  had  brought  to  them  a  message 
from  God,  and  they  were  willing  to  hear  the 
word  at  his  mouth-  There  was  not  a  sign  of 
jealousy.  The  utmost  good  feeling  prevailed, 
impulse.  That  was  the  best  possible  beginning 
for  the  conferences  which  followed  on  the  suc- 
ceeding evenings. 

The  week  from  February  7  to  14  was  to  be 
devoted  to  district  meetings  for  conference  and 
prayer.  Programs  were  prepared  and  speakers 
named.  It  was  a  most  interesting  and  im- 
pressive feature  of  this  work  that  from  the 
first  to  the  last  of  them,  the  churches  were 
crowded.  Frequently  overflow  meetings  were 
held,  and  speakers  were  called  out  of  one  meet- 
ing to  speak  in  another  church,  where  the  peo- 
ple had  assembled.  In  these  meetings  no  ser- 
mons were  preacned,  no  outside  help  was  called 
in.  It  was  just  the  pastors  of  the  neighbor- 
hood giving  earnest  heart  talks  to  their  people 
concerning  the  needs  of  the  Kingdom.  A  single 
program  of  one  of  these  meetings  will  indicate 
the  character  of  the  work  that  was  done. 


Showets  of  Blessing:  53 


SIMULTANEOUS  EVANGELISTIC 
MOVEMENT. 

PBOGBAM  FOB  THE  SOUTH  SIDE. 

District  No.  10. 
For  the  Week  of  Monday,  Feb.  8,  1904. 
Monday,  First  German  Baptist  Church — 
Subject:  "The  Mission  of  the  Church." 
Speaker:    J.  R.  Wolf,  Pastor  of  the  Wal- 
ton M.  E.  Church. 
Tuesday,  Welsh  Congregational  Churcn — 
Subject :    "Individual  Work." 
Speaker :   H.  C.  Gliess,  Pastor  of  the  First 
German  Baptist  Church. 
Wednesday,  Puritan  Congregational  Church — 
Subject :  "Prayer. 

Speaker:     S.  A.  Hunter,  Pastor  of  the 
South  Side  Presbyterian  Church. 
Thursday,  Walton  M.  E.  Church- 
Subject:    "The  Holy  Spirit." 
Speakers:    Wm.  Surdival,  Pastor  of  the 
Welsh     Congregation     Church;  Geo. 
Marsh,  Pastor  of  the  Puritan  Congrega- 
tional Church. 
Friday,  Grand  Union  Meeting  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Evangelist  Dr.  R.  A.  Walton* 

During  these  conferences  it  was  evident  that 
the  Spirit  of  God  was  working  mightily  upon 
the  hearts  of  His  people.  The  churches  where 
the  conferences  were  held  were  sometimes  filled 
to  overflowing  before  the  hour  announced  for 


54         The  Pittsburg  Festival 


the  service  to  begin.  The  singing  was  earnest. 
There  was  no  confusion,  even  where  the  crowds 
produced  some  discomfort.  In  many  of  these 
meetings  appeals  were  made  to  the  uncon- 
verted, and  not  a  few  hands  were  raised  ex- 
pressing a  desire  for  the  prayers  of  God's  peo- 
ple. If  the  ministry  had  been  awakened  by 
their  preliminary  pKnns  it  is  equally  true  that 
the  hearts  of  the  people  were  stirred  by  these 
conferences. 

By  this  time  the  topic  of  conversation  in  the 
offices,  and  on  the  street  cars  was  of  a  religious 
nature.  There  was  an  interest  now  which  was 
shaking  the  whole  city  with  its  suburbs.  There 
was  an  exceedingly  hopeful  spirit  in  these 
meetings.  God's  people  were  confident  that  His 
ear  was  not  heavy,  and  that  He  was  already 
making  bare  His  mighty  arm.  If  these  meet- 
ings had  been  the  end,  it  must  still  have  been 
regarded  as  a  great  and  good  work. 

The  effect  of  the  meetings  thus  far  was  to 
show  Christian  people  tnat  union  effort  was 
entirely  possible.  Every  doubt  as  to  the  feasi- 
bility of  the  plan  was  now  removed.  There 
was  an  easy  way  of  reconciling  differences  in 
method  of  worship  when  hearts  were  united. 
If  the  meetings  were  in  a  Methodist  Church 
there  was  a  cordial  adoption  of  their  manner 
of  worship,  and  responses  to  earnest  prayer 
were  heartily  approved.  In  the  United  Presby- 
terian churches  psalms  were  sung  with  a  zest 
that  would  wake  the  "harp  and  psaltry'*  of 
David  himself.  The  people  were  so  thoroughly 


Showers  of  Blessing  55 


in  earnest  that  they  did  not  think  of  these 
differences. 

While  these  services  were  going  on  the  lead- 
ers were  not  idle.  Pastors  were  seeking  from 
their  flocks  those  who  were  to  be  helpers  in  the 
coming  meetings.  Personal  workers  and  sing- 
ers were  being  appointed,  choirs  were  rehears- 
ing, and  the  minutest  details  of  the  work  were 
developing  so  that  all  might  be  in  readiness 
for  February  14th.  All  hearts  were  turning  to 
that  day  as  to  some  great  event.  The  throb 
of  a  great  movement  was  felt  all  over  the 
country.  Even  the  remote  country  districts  were 
awake  and  active,  and  the  earliest  words  of 
cheer  came  from  those  who  braved  the  storms 
on  country  roads  to  take  their  part  in  confer- 
ence and  prayer. 

Plum  District,  No.  28,  of  which  Rev. 
C.  G.  Hazlett  is  chairman,  was  an  in- 
stance. There  are  ten  churches  in  this 
district,  and  eight  had  a  part  in  the  meet- 
ings. These  churches  were  miles  apart,  but 
the  people  united  in  cottage  meetings  and  con- 
ferences which  brought  cheer  to  many  hearts 
and  salvation  to  some  souls. 

Oakdale  District,  No.  36,  Rev.  W.  J.  Cassidy, 
chairman,  enlisted  four  of  its  eight  scattered 
churches.  They  were  among  the  first  to  procure 
hymn  books  and  though  far  from  the  central 
meetings  they  carried  out  the  general  provisions 
of  the  plan. 

The  effect  of  these  meetings  for  prayer  and 
conference    is    indicated    in    another  way. 


56         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


During  these  weeks  the  Central  Committee 
was  almost  overwhelmed  with  calls  for 
central  meetings.  The  people  came  together. 
The  holy  fire  began  to  burn,  and  its  flames 
could  not  be  quenched.  The  requests  that  came 
to  the  committee  Uuring  these  two  weeks  of 
prayer  increased  the  number  of  central  meet- 
ings from  twelve  to  nineteen,  while  several 
other  requests  were  refused  for  reasons  that 
seemed  good  to  the  committee.  If  God's  people 
had  doubted  the  efficacy  of  prayer  previous  to 
this  time,  I  believe  that  many  were  convinced 
during  these  weeks.  The  little  companies  or 
large  assemblages  that  came  together  to  "ask 
and  seek,  and  knock,"  received  abundant  proof 
that  God  was  answering  their  desires,  and  that 
often  while  they  were  speaking  He  was  be- 
stowing the  blessing.  No  one  doubts  that  the 
magnitude  of  the  movement  was  a  result  of  this 
wrestling  at  a  Throne  of  Grace. 

A  letter  written  by  Dr.  Calhoun  to  Dr.  Chap- 
man on  January  26th,  indicates  the  condition 
of  affairs  at  that  time.  Indeed,  it  must  be 
said  that  the  progress  of  the  work  was  so 
rapid  that  tne  condition  of  one  day  scarcely 
indicated  what  it  would  be  the  next.  This 
will  show  now  the  preparatory  services  indi- 
cated that  these  were  only  the  first  dropping  of 
a  copious  shower  that  was  soon  to  fall  upon 
our  county.    In  this  letter  he  says: 

"We  have  assigned  Dr.  Robertson  to  the 
Lawrenceville  district.  A  great  community  of 
unsaved  people  with    several    good  churches 


REV.  JOHN  ROBERTSOX,  D. 


Showers  of  Blessing  57 


thoroughly  united  in  the  Simultaneous  Move- 
ment. 

*'i  have  had  an  earnest  talk  with  some  of 
the  leading  ministers  representing  the  down- 
town district  and  they  have  pledged  their  earn- 
est and  prayerful  support  of  Mr.  Biederwolf. 
We  understand  that  it  will  be  a  difficult  mat- 
ter to  get  a  crowd  at  these  meetings  week  even- 
ings, but  all  the  papers  will  give  them 
special  notice,  and  by  putting  a  strong  man 
there,  think  that  it  will  become  a  great  center 
of  religious  influence  in  Pittsburg. 

"Carnegie  is  a  most  important  point  and  we 
are  anxious  to  give  them  a  good  man.  The 
same  is  true  of  McKeesport.  It  is  a  town  of 
splendid  churches  and  a  great  population  of 
working  people. 

"I  am  writing  to  the  Evangelists,  so  far  as 
they  are  assigned,  advising  them  to  correspond 
with  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Ar- 
rangements in  their  respective  districts.  The 
work  is  growing  beyond  all  expectation  and 
we  find  it  almost  impossible  to  keep  pace  with 
it  and  the  many  requests  that  are  being  made 
for  additional  meetings.  Surely  the  Holy  Spirit 
has  come  to  Pittsburg  and  the  windows  of 
Heaven  are  about  to  open  upon  us  for  a  great 
spiritual  blessing." 

So  rapid  was  the  progress  of  the  movement 
in  these  days  that  on  January  29th,  Dr.  Cal- 
houn again  wrote  to  Dr.  Chapman  as  follows : 

"It  seems  we  shall  not  be  able  to  keep  pace 


58  The  Pittsburg  Revival 


with  our  Simultaneous  Movement,  as  it  is  op- 
ening up  before  us.  Another  group  of  churches 
in  the  East  End  has  just  asked  for  a  central 
meeting.  In  this  group  are  seven  or  eight  of 
the  wealthiest  churches  in  the  city.  It  is  a 
community  of  millionaires.  Their  ministers 
have  been  talking  over  the  matter,  and  have 
just  put  in  an  application  for  a  central  meet- 
ing. 

"We  feel  it  most  important  that  this  request 
should  be  granted,  and  a  strong  man  provided 
to  preach  to  the  people  of  this  community." 

At  the  meeting  of  the  central  committee  held 
on  February  1st,  Rev.  H.  C.  Gliess,  the  sec- 
retary, gave  a  report  of  a  conference  with  for- 
eigners who  desire  to  have  a  part  in  the  work. 
They  are  missionaries  working  among  the 
Italians,  French  and  Slavs.  The  Slavs  being 
headed  by  Rev.  Vaclav  Losa,  an  earnest  and 
consecrated  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  working  here  among  his  people.  It 
was  decided  to  secure  the  noted  foreign  worker, 
Rev.  V.  Kraliceck,  of  Chicago,  to  assist  the 
Slavish  missionaries  wbo  carry  on  the  work. 

About  this  time  arrangements  were  also 
made  for  holding  meetings  in  the  Bethel  Home 
on  Duquesne  Way,  at  the  Y.  W.  C.  A.  rooms 
on  Fifth  street,  and  at  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  rooms 
on  Seventh  street.  Requests  were  also  granted 
for  speakers  to  attend  a  number  of  noon-day 
meetings  held  in  factories.  These  notes  are 
given  to  indicate  the  wide  proportion  the  work 
had  taken  on  by  the  first  of  February. 


Showers  of  Blessing  59 


A  letter  sent  out  on  February  2nd  indicates 
the  carefulness  of  the  Central  Committee  in  its 
anxiety  to  reach  all  parts  of  the  county.  This 
letter  was  sent  to  one  of  the  district  chairmen. 
It  reads : 

"We  have  no  very  definite  word  as  yet  from 
your  district  in  the  evangelistic  work.  Almost 
the  whole  community  is  awakening  to  new 
spiritual  life,  and  we  sincerely  hope  that  the 
blessing  may  not  be  missed  in  your  district. 
Can  you  arrange  for  pulpit  exchanges  on  next 
Sabbath,  and  have  conference  and  prayer  in 
the'  week  following?  Everywhere  we  hear  re- 
ports of  great  good  in  the  cottage  prayer  meet- 
ings. We  have  sent  you  a  package  of  literature 
on  *Call  to  Prayer,'  which  we  hope  may  be 
useful  in  stirring  up  the  people.  Please  let 
us  know  if  in  any  way  we  may  serve  you  in 
furthering  the  Master's  work  in  your  district." 

On  February  5th  Dr.  Calhoun  wrote  to  Dr. 
John  H.  Converse,  of  Philadelphia,  as  follows : 

"We  have  now  arranged  for  fifteen  simulta- 
neous meetings,  and  need  a  good  strong  evan- 
gelist for  another  field.  This  week  in  all  parts 
of  bur  cities  neighborhood  prayer  meetings  are 
being  held,  also  a  number  of  preparatory  dis- 
trict meetings.  Next  week  in  fifty  or  more 
districts  every  evening  we  will  have  union  meet- 
ings for  prayer  and  conference.  Many  con- 
versions have  already  been  reported  in  these 
preparatory  meetings.  We  are  looking  for  the 
windows  of  Heaven  to  open  upon  Pittsburg. 
The  spirit  of  unity  prevailing  among  the  differ- 


60  The  Pittsburg  Revival 


ent  denominations  is  surely  a  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  We  have  thirteen  denominations  repre- 
sented  in  the  movement,  a  general  committee 
of  fifty  representing  these  denominations,  and 
we  have  never  yet  had  one  negative  vote  on 
any  question  before  us." 

On  February  8th,  following  the  Sabbath  .on 
which  the  pulpit  exchanges  were  effected,  the 
following  letter  was  sent  from  the  central 
ofiice  to  Dr.  Converse : 

"Our  work  is  becoming  wider  and  deeper 
every  day.  Yesterday  there  was  a  general  ex- 
change of  pulpits^  Awakening  evangelistic  ser- 
mons were  preached  in  almost  every  pulpit. 
The  daily  papers  this  morning  gave  extended 
notices  of  the  different  sermons.  The  Pitts- 
hurg  Times  came  out  with  a  strong  edi- 
torial commending  the  Simultaneous  Move- 
ment, emphasizing  its  importance  and  stat- 
ing that  it  is  the  most  significant  religious 
effort  in  the  history  of  the  city.  Short  ab- 
stracts are  given  tnis  morning  of  the  sermons 
that  were  preached  yesterday. 

Even  now  our  churches  are  responding  to 
the  quickening  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

**I  send  these  words  of  earnest  greeting  and 
ask  that  the  brethren  of  the  Committee  will 
have  remembrance  of  us  and  the  work  before 
us  in  prayer." 


CHAPTER  VII 


ENLARGEMENT 

When  the  executive  committee  began  its 
work  it  was  agreed  to  transact  the  Lord's 
business  in  a  business  manner.  If  it  paid 
to  advertise  in  selling  merchandise  it  would 
be  profitable  also  in  saving  souls.  With 
this  idea  an  efficient  press  agent,  Mr.  J.  N. 
Patterson,  was  secured.  At  first  the  editors  of 
the  papers  were  inclined  to  pay  but  little  at- 
tention to  the  movement,  but  in  a  short  time 
they  were  ready  to  give  it  space,  and  every 
day  the  reporters  for  the  various  dailies  came 
to  the  office  of  the  committee  to  gather  news. 

Much  trouble  was  sometimes  taken  to  procure 
cuts  of  evangelists  who  were  coming  or  of 
ministers  and  laymen  who  were  taking  an  in- 
terest in  the  work.  One  enterprising  paper 
secured  a  flashlight  picture  of  a  cottage  prayer 
meeting  as  they  were  assembled  tvith  Bibles  in 
hand,  reading  the  lesson.  Another  gave  a 
group  of  Slavic  missionaries  as  they  were 
planning  for  their  work,  while  almost  every  im- 
portant action  of  the  Committee  had  place  in 
the  daily  columns,  and  no  paper  seemed  com- 
plete without  a  picture  of  some  one  who  was 


62  The  Pittsburg  Revival 


helping  the  movement.  In  one  paper  brief  ex- 
tracts of  fifty  sermons  were  presented. 

Every  evangelist  was  interviewed  as  soon 
as  he  appeared  on  the  ground,  and  his  face 
was  made  familiar  to  the  people  by  the  press. 
Not  only  the  local  dailies,  but  the  associated 
press,  and  the  daily  and  weekly  papers  of  every 
town  for  miles  around  counted  the  movement 
worthy  of  notice,  and  many  gave  much  space 
to  it.  Several  editorials  were  published  during 
the  campaign.  One  of  these  from  the  Pittslurg 
Times,  of  February  8th,  is  here  given  in  full : 

"A  GREAT  MOVEMENT." 

*'The  great  evangelistic  movement  for  which 
preparations  have  been  in  progress  for  some 
time,  and  which  will  be  formally  begun  to-day, 
was  appropriately  prefaced  yesterday  by  num- 
erous sermons  on  the  subject.  The  preparations 
have  been  so  thorough  and  the  interest  already 
aroused  is  so  great  that  there  is  the  highest 
promise  of  most  important  results.  Never  be- 
fore in  the  history  of  evangelistic  movements 
has  there  been  such  a  complete  advance  organi- 
zation of  work,  a  fact  which  speaks  volumes 
for  the  interest  and  religious  zeal  of  those  who 
have  had  the  matter  in  charge.  It  will  cer- 
tainly be  a  most  impressive  object  lesson  to  see 
the  members  of  so  many  Christian  denomina- 
tions working  together  in  the  greatest  harmony 
for  the  sole  purpose  of  improving  the  condition 
of  themselves  and  their  fellow  men. 


Enlargement  63 


"Nobody  will  deny  that  there  is  great  need 
of  a  revival  of  religious  feeling,  not  only  in 
Allegheny  county,  but  throughout  the  v^hole 
nation.  Many  of  the  evils  from  which  the  body 
politic  is  suffering  are  due  to  the  ignoring  of 
the  great  principles  of  religion  and  morality 
which  were  the  guides  of  our  fathers  in  tneir 
times  of  stress.  The  corruption  which  marks 
our  politics  and  finds  a  resting  place  in  official 
places.  National  State  and  Municipal,  would  be 
vastly  less  if  the  people  of  the  country  generally 
were  properly  aroused  to  their  religious  obliga- 
tions. There  would  also  be  vastly  less  friction 
between  man  and  man  and  much  more  happi- 
ness and  comfort  in  the  nation  if  the  princi- 
ples of  Christianity,  which  will  be  preached 
this  week  in  every  community  in  this  county, 
could  stir  up  all  the  people  of  America  to  a 
true  sense  of  their  religious  duty.  The  thought- 
ful and  patriotic  citizen,  therefore,  no  matter 
what  his  particular  religious  belief  may  be, 
will  watch  with  interest  the  movement  that  is 
being  launched  to-day  and  will  heartily  desire 
that  it  may  achieve  great  results  in  the  salva- 
tion of  souls." 

Whenever  a  new  central  meeting  was  agreed 
upon  by  the  committee  the  papers  reported  it. 
If  singers  were  wanted  it  was  announced 
and  whenever  a  district  had  completed  its  or- 
ganization or  begun  its  work  the  papers  were 
glad  to  announce  it. 

Many  inquiries  came  to  the  office  concern- 
ing the  time  and  place  of  the  meetings,  and 


64         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


in  response  to  this  oft  repeated  request  the' 
papers  took  up  and  published  a  daily  program 
of  all  the  services.  This  was  eagerly  looked 
for  by  the  people  of  the  county,  and  was  greatly 
appreciated  by  all  interested  in  the  movement. 
We  give  herewith  one  of  these  daily  programs 
as  indicating  what  the  newspapers  did  in  this 
way,  and  also  to  indicate  the  scope  of  the  work 
then  in  progress. 

Program  of  February  16th  as  printed  in 
Pittsburg  Dispatch: 

Noon  hour  meeting  for  business  people.  Sec- 
ond Presbyterian  Church.  Dr.  Gray's  Bible 
lecture,  in  Sixth  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
East  End,  10  a.  m. ;  in  North  Avenue  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  3  p.  m.  Bible  lecture  by  Dr. 
W.  E.  Biederwolf  in  Fourth  Avenue  Baptist 
Church  at  3  o'clock. 

Evening  Evangelistic  Mass  Meetings — 

Downtown — Fourth  Avenue  Baptist  Church, 
Rev.  W.  E.  Biederwolf,  speaker. 

Allegheny,  North  Avenue  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  Rev.  J.  Wilbur  Chapman. 

Downtown,  Allegheny,  North  Avenue  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  Rev-  J.  Wilbur  Oiap- 
man. 

Lower  Allegheny,  McClure  Avenue  Presby- 
terian Church,  Rev.  David  Winters. 

.  Shady  Side,  Fourth  Presbyterian  CEurch, 
Rev.  F.  E.  Smiley,  D.  D. 

South  Side,  Union  Baptist  Church,  Rev.  R. 
A.  Walton,  D.  D. 

Lawrenceville,  Seventh  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  Rev.  John  Robertson. 


REV.  THOMAS  NEEDHAM 


PROF.  R.  A.  JENNIlS^aS 


Enlargement  65 


East  Liberty  Presbyterian  Church,  Rev.  L. 
W.  Munhall,  D.  D. 

Oakland,  First  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
Rev.  E.  F.  Hallenbeck. 

JVicKeesport,  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
Rev.  J.  C.  Chapman. 

Millvale  Opera  House,  Rev.  A.  L.  Prewett. 

Sharpsburg,  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
Rev.  Thomas  Needham. 

Carnegie,  Carnegie  Library  Hall,  Rev.  E.  L. 
Eaton,  D.  D. 

Wilmerding,  Presbyterian  Church,  Rev.  W. 
S.  Miller. 

Another  manner  in  which  the  work  was  en- 
larged was  by  the  offer  of  present  religious 
organizations.  The  Brotherhood  of  Andrew  and 
Phillip  having  a  membership  of  more  than 
three  hundred  young  men  in  the  county,  offered 
their  service  to  the  committee.  The  Rev.  Harry 
W.  Boyd,  the  president  of  the  county  organi- 
zation, immediately  set  about  enlisting  the 
young  men  for  action  during  the  campaign.  The 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  offered  whatever  assistance  they 
could  give. 

Although  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
took  no  part  in  the  campaign,  it  re- 
ceived the  sympathy  at  least  of  some  of  the 
ministers  of  that  church.  In  speaking  of  the 
movement  in  Trinity  Episcopal  Church  on  Feb- 
ruary 14th,  Rev.  A.  W.  Arundel,  rector  of  the 
church,  gave  endorsement  to  the  movement  in 
the  following  words : 
8 


66         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


"A  vigorous  evangelistic  movement  is  now  be- 
ing carried  on  by  the  great  denominations 
around  us.  I  have  heard  it  criticised.  Some 
speak  of  the  danger  of  emotionalism;  others 
speak  of  pulpit  clap-trap ;  to  others  the  Moody- 
Sankey  style  of  hymnology  is  objectionable,  and 
there  are  those  who  prophesy  all  sorts  of  reac- 
tion and  backsliding,  and  so  on.  But  down  un- 
derneath the  meaning  of  this  movement  the  idea 
is  to  get  men  and  women  to  face  the  question 
of  being  right  with  God  and  "their  fellow  men, 
to  get  them  soundly  converted  in  both  direc- 
tions. And  may  God  speed  the  movement  in  so 
far  as  it  shall  increase  the  ranks  of  those  in  the 
city  who  love  righteousness  and  hate  iniquity." 

Of  course  the  denominational  papers  of  the 
city  gave  much  attention  to  the  movement.  The 
Preslyterian  Banner,  in  its  issue  of  February 
4th,  gave  a  four-page  inset  containing  the  pic- 
tures of  eighteen  of  the  leading  workers  in 
the  movement,  two  of  the  meeting  places  to- 
gether with  a  full  outline  of  the  campaign  in- 
cluding names  of  the  committees,  and  notes 
concerning  a  number  of  the  evangelists.  This 
inset  was  widely  used  in  giving  information 
throughout  the  county.    Similar  announcements 
were  made  through  the  Methodist  Recorder  and 
United  Presbyterian,  while  the    various  de- 
nominational papers  east  and  west  gave  quite 
full  accounts  of  the  meetings  as  they  progressed. 
The  editor  of  the  Church  Economist,  of  New 
York  City,  Mr.  H.  R.  Elliott,  came  to  Pittsburg 
and  devoted  some  time  to  a  study  of  the  cam- 


Enlatgemcnt  67 


paign,  and  in  his  issues  of  March  and  April, 
1904,  published  accounts  of  the  movement,  one 
of  which  he  headed,  "The  Pittsburg  Revival 
of  1904— A  Study  on  the  Spot  of  a  Memora^ile 
Evangelistic  Campaign  Which  Added  Thousands 
to  the  Membership  of  the  Evangelical 
Churches."  Rev.  George  W.  Taft  gave  ^  full 
account  of  the  campaign  in  the  Watchman,  a 
Baptist  paper,  published  in  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts. This  article  is  one  of  the  fullest  accounts 
of  the  revival  that  has  been  published  by  any  of 
the  newspapers.  Dr.  W.  G-  Partridge  also  pub- 
lished a  most  interesting  account  of  the  revival 
in  the  Brooklyn  Eagle,  While  the  Gospel 
Message,  published  in  Auburn,  New  York,  gave 
full  weekly  reports  as  the  meetings  progressed. 
All  these  were  helps  and  encouragements  to  the 
local  work,  and  to  others  who  were  seeking  to 
learn  more  of  what  was  now  characterized  as 
the  ''Pittsburg  Plan:' 

A  unique  method  was  adopted  by  the 
committee  on  advertising.  In  the  down- 
town district,  over  the  doors  of  each 
of  the  churches  enlisted,  a  large  placard  was 
placed,  reading:  "This  church  joins  in  the 
Simultaneous  Evangelistic  Movement,  Services 
each  night  from  February  14th  to  28th  in 
Fourth  Avenue  Baptist  Church,  conducted  by 
Rev.  W.  E.  Biederwolf.  Everybody  welcome." 
Other  meetings  were  announced  on  small  cards 
which  were  carried  by  willing  workers  to  the 
doors  of  the  people.  Admission  to  some 
meetings  was  by  special  ticket  or  invitation  dis- 


68         The  Pittsburg  Revival 

tributed  to  a  certain  class,  as  boys  from  14  to 
20  years  of  age,  or  to  women  or  to  men. 
Many  such  meetings  were  held  during  the  cam- 
paign. 

During  the  progress  of  preparation  for 
the  meetings  a  committee  of  each  of  the  leading 
denominations  in  the  campaign  was  appointed 
to  prepare  and  send  out  a  letter  to  the  ministers 
of  that  denomination.  These  letters  were  sent 
out  late  in  January,  and  indicate  the  spirit  that 
was  at  work  in  these  various  denominations- 
Space  will  not  permit  us  to  give  them  in  full, 
but  we  take  pleasure  in  giving  extracts  from 
three  or  four  of  them. 

THE  LUTHERAN  LETTER. 
*'The  representatives  in  this  committee  from 
the  Lutheran  Ministerial  Association  are  indeed 
anxious  that  our  Lutheran  ministers  endorse 
heartily  this  movement  contemplated,  and  do  all 
in  their  power  to  make  it  a  glorious  success. 
They  have  all  been  in  close  touch  with  the 
General  Committee  in  all  its  sessions  knd  in  all 
its  deliberations,  and  they  are  deeply  impressed 
with  the  thought  that  the  movement  is  of 
God.  Hence  they  are  convinced  that  no  one  can 
afford  to  stand  aloof,  in  view  of  the  good  he 
may  do  by  a  general  co-operation  with  ministers 
of  other  denominations,  and  in  view  of  the  good 
he  shall  receive  for  himself  and  congregation. 
They  kindly  ask  you,  therefore,  to  pray  for  the 
success  of  this  effort  and  to  co-operate  in  so  far 
as  it  is  possible  in  the  various  lines  of  work 
proposed. 


Enlargement  69 


THE  BAPTIST  LETTER. 

It  is  a  magnificent  sight  to  witness  the  spon- 
taneous uprising  of  so  many  great  religious  de- 
nominations in  this  aggressive  endeavor  to  win 
souls  into  Christ^s  Kingdom. 

"As  Baptists,  we  should  do  our  full  share  of 
the  great  work  of  redeeming  our  immense  pop- 
ulation. We  must  be  unselfish,  and  make  sac- 
rifices for  the  good  of  the  community.  We 
should  be  anxious  that  our  denomination  be  in 
full  sympathy  with  this  great  movement,  that 
we  furnish  our  share  of  the  workers  and  of  the 
money  to  carry  on  the  campaign.  We  should 
urge  our  people  to  pray  fervently  for  a  great 
spiritual  awakening  in  Greater  Pittsburg.  We 
as  pastors,  see  the  urgent  needs  of  the  immense 
field.  "The  harvest  is  plenteous  but  the  labor- 
ers are  few.'  Now  is  a  magnificent  opportunity 
for  aggressive  soul-winning  for  Christ.  We  can 
help  by  holding  preparatory  cottage  and  neigh- 
borhood prayer  meetings. 

"Our  sermons  can  be  evangelistic.  We  can 
urge  out  people  to  co-operate  with  all  Chris- 
tians in  evangelizing  our  cities." 

THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  LETTER. 

"This  great  effort  can  be  successful  only  in 
proportion  to  the  numbers  and  earnestness  of 
those  engaged  in  it,  aided  by  the  Spirit  of  God. 
As  your  representative,  may  I  urge  you  to  give 
this  undertaking  your  sympathies,  prayers  and 
efforts? 


70         The  Pittsburg  Revival 

"Ours  has  always  been  an  evangelistic 
church:  shall  we  not  now  unite  with  our 
brethren  in  this  movement  for  the  salvation  of 
men?  Let  us,  brethren,  to  our  knees  in  earnest 
petition  to  God  that  He  will  revive  His  work, 
and  then  in  brotherly  co-operation  unite  with 
others  in  pointing  souls  to  the  'Lamb  of  God, 
that  takes  away  the  sin  of  the  world/ 

"Brothers,  as  far  as  possible,  let  us  follow 
the  program  of  work  laid  out,  and  in  every  pos- 
sible way  help  in  this  great  undertaking." 

THE  METHODIST  PROTESTANT 
LETTER. 

"There  is  no  parallel  to  this  movement  in  all 
the  history  of  the  Christian  Church.  Here  are 
four  or  five  hundred  pastors  and  churches,  of 
thirteen  different  denominations  all  co-operating 
in  one  revival.  Surely  the  result  of  such  a 
movement  must  be  of  vast  advantage  to  the 
Church  of  Christ. 

"As  Methodist  Protestant  pastors  let  us  en- 
ter into  the  work  with  all  our  hearts." 

It  will  be  seen  that  all  these  letters  breathe 
the  spirit  of  the  movement,  and  all  of  them 
certainly  had  their  effect  in  extending  its  influ- 
ence. The  denominational  spirit  was  sunk  in 
the  great  desire  for  the  salvation  of  soul  in  ar- 
ranging plans  for  holding  meetings  in  the  vari- 
ous districts,  the  committee  had  no  difficulty 
in  determining  where  the  meetings  should  be 
held.  Usually  it  was  to  occupy  the  largest 
church  of  the  district,  but  when  this  proposi- 


Enlargfcment  71 


tion  was  made  in  the  Hill  Top  district,  the 
pastor  of  the  church  magnanimously  urged  that 
the  meetings  be  held  in  different  churches  that 
all  might  receive  the  blessing.  His  council  pre- 
vailed, and  when  smaller  churches  were  used 
sometimes  two  of  them  were  opend  to  accommo- 
date the  thronging  crowds. 

Such  was  the  work  of  grace  and  glory  wrought 
by  the  Spirit  of  God  upon  all  hearts. 


CHARTER  VIII 


February  14th 

February  14th  was  a  memorable  day  in  the 
history  of  the  churches  of  Allegheny  county. 
That  was  the  beginning  of  the  great  Evangelistic 
Campaign,  under  the  leadership  of  Dr.  J.  Wil- 
bur Chapman,  and  his  associates  in  the  work. 
Preliminary  plans  had  been  effectively  made,  and 
now  all  was  ready  for  the  opening  of  the  cam- 
paign. On  this  day  twelve  central  meetings 
were  commenced.  The  meeting  at  Millvale  un- 
der the  direction  of  Rev.  A.  L.  Prewitt,  had 
been  started  a  week  earlier.  Probably  there 
never  was  so  great  excitement  in  church  cir- 
cles as  there  was  that  day.  The  hearts  of  the 
people  had  been  prepared  for  the  coming  of  the 
evangelists,  and  were  in  earnest  expectation  of 
a  gracious  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 
Men  had  planned  great  things,  and  were  expect- 
ing great  things  from  God.  They  were  not  dis- 
appointed. 

The  day  was  not  the  most  favorable  as 
to  weather  conditions,  but  this  did  not  seem 
to  interfere  with  tne  attendance  at  the  meet- 
ings. The  largest  assembly  in  Pittsburg  previ- 
ous to  this  time  had  been  in  the  days  of  Mr. 


J.  C.  CHAPMA^^^,  D.  D. 


REV.  FERDIXAXD  SCHIVEREA 


February  Hth  73 


Moody,  in  the  old  Exposition  building.  Proba- 
bly four  thousand  people  were  assembled  to 
hear  that  eminent  evangelist,  but  our  plans  so 
far  exceeded  that  as  to  demand  accommodations 
for  nearly  twenty  thousand.  From  a  carefully 
prepared  statement  printed  in  the  Pittshurg 
Dispatch  the  following  day,  we  take  the  follow- 
ing statistics  of  attendance  at  the  meetings  : 

Downtown — Fourth      Avenue  Baptist 

Church  1,400 

East  Liberty — Central  Meeting,  East 
Liberty  Presbyterian,  2,500 ;  overflow 
meeting,  Sixth  United  Presbyterian, 
1,100 ;  overflow  meeting,  Emory  Metho- 


dist Episcopal,  700    4,300 

Oakland — First  United  Presbyterian   800 

Shadyside — Christ  Methodist  Episcopal..  1,000 
Central  Allegheny — Carnegie  Hall,  1,400; 
overflow  meeting,  North  Avenue  Meth- 
odist Episcopal,  1,000    2,400 

Lower  Allegheny — McClure  Avenue  Pres- 
byterian  600 

Lawrenceville — Seventh   United  Presby- 
terian  1,550 

South  Side — Union  Baptist   1,000 

McKeesport — Central      Meeting,  First 


Presbyterian,    1,000 ;    overflow.  First 
Methodist    Episcopal,    700 ;  overflow 
meeting,  Fifth  Avenue  Baptist,  700..  2,400 
Sharpsburg — Central  Meeting,  Methodist 


Episcopal,    500 ;    overflow,  English 

Lutheran,  400   900 

Carnegie — Carnegie  Hall    1,200 

Millvale — Millvale  Opera  House   500 


Total   e  1^5,050 

3* 


74         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


This  seems  to  be  a  conservative  statement  of 
the  attendance  of  that  day. 

The  thought  of  the  evangelists  that  day  seemed 
to  be  to  stir  up  the  people  to  a  revival  spirit. 
It  wsis  natural  that  they  should  begin  in  this 
v^ay,  but  it  v^as  not  necessary.  The  Spirit  of 
God  had  preceded  these  evangelists,  and  already 
the  fields  were  ripe  to  the  harvest.  It  seemed 
scarcely  necessary  to  preach  or  plan  or  appeal 
to  Christian  people  for  their  sympathy  and  co- 
operation. The  evangelists  v^ere  assured  of  this 
from  the  first,  and  very  soon  they  learned  that 
their  mission  to  Pittsburg  v^as  to  take  up  a 
work  that  was  even  then  well  under  way,  and 
proclaim  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  to  a  sin- 
ing  world. 

Not  one  of  these  first  meetings  was 
ordinary.  There  were  crowded  houses  every- 
where, and  a  very  deep  interest  manifested. 
Wherever  appeals  were  made  inquirers  were 
found.  Arrangements  had  been  made  for  over- 
flow meetings,  if  necessary,  and  it  was  found 
that  the  arrangements  were  all  needful  in  car- 
ing for  the  multitudes.  In  East  Liberty  espe- 
cially the  interest  was  intense.  There  were 
2,500  people  in  the  East  Liberty  Presbyterian 
Church  to  hear  Dr.  Munhall,  and  it  was  neces- 
sary for  the  speaker  to  ascend  to  the  organ 
loft  to  speak  to  the  great  audience.  A  hun- 
dred and  fifty  voices  led  the  singing,  and  there 
was  intense  silence  throughout  the  service. 
While  this  service  was  going  on  two  other 
churches,  the  Sixth  United  Presbyterian  and 


Febfuaty  Hth  75 


the  Emory  M.  E.  churches,  were  opened,  and 
both  were  filled  by  those  who  could  not  gain 
admission  to  hear  Dr.  Munhall. 

Rev.  J.  Wilbur  Chapman  began  his  work  in 
Allegheny,  and  from  the  first  moment  of  the 
meeting  it  was  evident  that  the  Spirit  of  God 
was  among  the  people-  Dr.  Chapman's  text 
was  from  "Matthew  9,  36,"  "When  He  saw  the 
multitudes  He  was  moved  with  compassion  on 
them."  It  was  an  earnest  plea  for  a  sympa- 
thetic Gospel  to  needy  souls,  and  had  wonderful 
effect  in  reaching  and  interesting  those  who 
were  present.  Among  other  things  he  said: 
"This  is  a  decisive  battle.  If  the  hosts  of 
Heaven  win  against  the  sin  we  find  in  Pitts- 
burg, remember  that  the  eyes  of  fifty  American 
cities  are  upon  us.  Verily,  this  is  the  beginning 
of  the  greatest  religious  movement  this  country 
has  ever  known.  A  church  may  be  fine,  it  may 
have  richly  upholstered  pews,  a  splendid  choir, 
and  an  eloquent  minister,  and  all  that,  but  if 
the  Holy  Ghost  is  not  there  that  church  is  a 
failure." 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting  a  young 
woman  pushed  her  way  through  the  throng,  and 
came  sobbing  before  the  evangelist,  and  cried 
out,  "I  want  some  one  to  pray  for  me."  The 
evangelist  that  had  been  speaking  to  the  multi- 
tudes knelt  on  the  floor  of  the  hall  beside  the 
one  weeping  girl,  and  began  the  work  then  and 
there  of  leading  one  soul  to  Christ.  That  was 
the  beginning  of  a  work  which,  however,  it  may 


76         The  Pttisbufg:  Revival 


effect  the  multitudes  must  in  the  end  reach  the 
individual. 

"These  are  the  saddest  words  in  the  Bible." 
The  first  declaration  of  Rev.  W.  E.  Biederwolf 
as  he  opened  the  campaign  at  the  Fourth  Ave- 
nue Baptist  Church  in  the  downtown  district 
on  Sabbath  evening.  He  referred  to  his  text, 
"No  man  careH  for  my  r-oul."  He  plead  ?d 
with  his  audience  to  take  a  deeper 
interest  in  the  spiritual  welfare  of  those  about 
them.  Immediately  following  this  first  meet- 
ing, an  inquiry  meeting  was  held  and  many 
persons  came  to  seek  the  way  of  life  as  the 
first  fruits  of  the  work. 

On  the  South  Side  Rev.  R.  A.  Walton,  D.  D., 
began  his  work,  and  so  deep  was  the  interest 
there  that  two  churches  were  opened,  and  after 
speaking  in  the  Union  Baptist  Church,, 
we  hurried  round  to  the  South  Side  Presby- 
terian Church  to  find  it  filled  also.  He 
earnestly  presented  the  truth  to  both  of  these 
great  meetings,  ana  quite  a  number  of  those 
present  indicated  their  desire  to  lead  a  Chris- 
tian life. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Chapman  with  Mr.  H.  H.  Mc- 
Granahan,  the  singer,  began  work  at  the  same 
time  in  McKeesport.  So  deep  was  the  interest 
there  that  two  of  the  largest  auditoriums  were 
crowded,  and  Dr.  Chapman  spoke  to  both  of 
these  audiences. 

Perhaps  no  part  of  the  city  was  stirred  so- 
much  on  that  day  as  was  Lawrenceville.  Three 
great  evangelistic  meetings  were  held  during  the- 


February  f4th  77 


day,  and  more  than  one  hundred  men  and 
women  expressed  a  desire  to  lead  Christian 
lives.  One  thousand  men  and  boys  met  in 
Keane's  Auditorium  in  the  afternoon,  while  at 
the  same  hour  there  was  a  large  assemblage  of 
women  in  the  Forty- third  Street  Presbyterian 
Church.  It  is  estimated  that  more  than  three 
thousand  people  attenued  the  meetings  of  the 
day. 

Dr.  Robertson  had  with  him  Mr.  Frank  Dick- 
son as  evangelistic  singer,  who  sang  effectively 
during  the  services.  Dr.  Robertson  preached  on 
"Two  Crosses,"  and  told  the  story  of  the  con- 
version of  a  jack  tar  that  wonderfully  effected 
all  present. 

Dr.  F.  E.  Smiley  found  a  similar  interest  in 
his  first  meetings  in  the  Shadyside  district  at 
Christ  M.  E.  Church. 

Speaking  of  the  condition  as  indicated  by  this 
day's  service  the  Pittshurg  Leader  of  February 
15,  says :  ''In  one  respect,  the  revival  is 
unique.  There  is  no  mourner's  bench,  but  cards 
are  passed  among  the  people  by  the  workers, 
and  those  who  desire  to  join  the  church  are 
allowed  to  affix  their  names,  and  the  congrega- 
tion they  prefer.  It  was  expected  that  the  vast 
majority  of  yesterday's  revival  assemblage  would 
be  directed  to  church  members.  In  this  the  pro- 
moters of  the  revival  were  happily  disappointed. 
There  were  some  who  had  not  been  in  a  re- 
ligious service  for  years,  and  they  were  among 
the  most  enthusiastic  worshippers." 

A  feature  of  the  movement  which  deserves 


78         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


more  than  passing  notice  was  that  each  evange- 
list had  with  him  a  professional  singer,  and 
these  singers  added  very  greatly  to  the  interest 
in  the  services.  Neither  the  song  nor  the  effect 
of  a  song  can  be  reproduced  in  a  history,  but 
we  take  pleasure  in  recording  the  names  of  Mr. 
Fred  Butler,  Mr.  C.  D.  Powers.  Mr.  Harry 
Maxwell,  Mr.  Frank  Dickson,  Mr.  H.  H.  Mc- 
Granahan  and  Rev.  O.  F.  Pugh. 

But  these  professional  soloists  who  came 
with  the  evangelists  were  by  no  means 
all  the  musical  force  in  these  meetings* 
Local  singers  and  instructors  had  been 
at  work  for  some  time  so  that  choirs 
were  organized  and  trained  before  the  meetings 
began.  Among  those  who  deserve  mention  as 
rendering  special  service  in  this  way  are  Pro- 
fessor R.  A.  Jennings,  who  organized  the  Law- 
renceville  choir,  and  had  it  in  most  excellent 
shape  for  the  work  before  the  evangelistic  singer 
arrived.  But  as  soon  as  Dr.  Needham  began 
his  meetings  at  Sharpsburg,  Prof.  Jennings  took 
the  lead  in  the  singing  there. 

On  the  South  Side  Mr.  Norman  Hassler  had 
carefully  trained  a  large  choir.  He  had  also 
given  attention  to  the  training  of  a  boy  choir 
made  up  of  some  sixty  boys  ranging  from  ten 
to  fourteen  years  of  age.  This  choir  attracted 
special  attention,  and  in  one  of  the  meetings 
Dr.  Walton  gave  the  boys  an  interesting  talk 
on  ''Faituy  To  make  his  meaning  more 
clear,  he  held  out  a  quarter,  and  said 
he    would    give    the    money    to    the  first 


Febftiary  J4th  79 


boy  who  would  believe  that  he  would  receive 
it,  if  he  walked  to  the  platform.  After  a  short 
pause  a  little  fellow  jumped  up  and  claimed  the 
quarter,  which  he  received.  Thus  the  boys  were 
helped,  while  they  were  helping  others.  Mr, 
Hassler  also  had  a  choir  of  girls  which  sang 
during  part  of  the  service. 

In  addition  to  all  the  other  work  carried  on 
by  Rev.  J.  Allison  Platts  in  Allegheny,  he  had 
prepared  a  choir,  and  conducted  the  chorus, 
singing  in  Dr.  Chapman's  meetings. 

Prof.  Mark  0.  Baker,  of  Beaver,  Pa.,  ren- 
dered valuable  service  in  the  music  in  Woods 
Run,  Allegheny. 

During  the  progress  of  the  meetings  more 
than  fifteen  thousand  song  books  were  brought 
into  use.  So  eager  were  the  people  to  learn 
the  new  songs  that  almost  all  the  books  used 
in  the  downtown  district  were  sold,  and  others 
had  to  be  substituted  for  them.  In  many  othef 
places  the  supply  had  to  be  replenished  on  ac- 
count of  the  large  sale.  In  the  Allegheny  meetings 
alone  twelve  hundred  copies  of  Songs  of  Praise 
were  sold.  Thus  the  songs  of  Zion  were  carried 
both  in  the  hearts  and  hands  of  the  people  to 
their  homes  to  make  their  impressions  there  also. 
If  it  be  true  that  "Music  hath  charms  for  the 
savage  breast,"  it  is  none  the  less  true  that  the 
sweet  melodies  of  a  Saviour's  love  will  charm 
the  soul  that  has  wandered  from  Him. 

When  the  evangelists  had  completed  this  first 
day  of  service,  and  saw  how  all  these  prelimi- 
nary arrangements  for  their  coming  had  been 


80         The  Pittsbtirg  Revival 


made,  how  the  new  songs  were  already  learned, 
and  leaders  at  their  post,  how  pastors  had  en- 
listed their  people  and  how  the  people  were 
praying  for  a  blessing  upon  the  work,  they  ex- 
pressed themselves  as  more  than  pleased  at  this 
day's  beginning,  and  immediately  predicted 
that  Pittsburg  was  on  the  eve  of  an  awakening 
that  would  be  historic  in  its  proportions  and  its 
power.  There  could  be  no  doubt  when  February 
14th  came  to  a  close  that  God  was  working 
as  never  before  in  the  churches,  and  on  the 
hearts  of  the  multitude. 

This  was  certainly  the  greatest  revival 
day  that  ever  Pittsburg  had  seen.  If 
Mr.  Moody  could  have  looked  upon  the 
city  that  had  responded  so  cordially  more 
than  once  to  his  appeals,  and  where  there  were 
many  souls  that  had  been  influenced  by  his 
preaching,  where  he  had  seen  great  enthusiasm 
and  deep  earnestness — if  he  could  have  looked 
upon  these  larger  multitudes  and  felt  the  thrill 
of  thirteen  great  meetings  it  would  have  made 
his  heart  glad. 


CHAPTER  IX 


PROGRESS  OF  THE  MEETINGS 

From  the  very  first  meetings  the  evangelists 
found  themselves  at  the  head  of  one  of  the 
most  significant  evangelistic  movements  of 
modern  times.  Dr.  Calhoun,  as  chairman  of 
the  Central  Committee,  kept  in  touch  daily 
with  the  whole,  and  as  he  felt  the  glow  of  the 
spreading  fire  so  all  felt  the  strong  influence  of 
his  guiding  hand.  In  the  office  each  day  the 
needs  of  each  district  were  known  and  faith- 
fully met.  Then  the  wisdom  and  skill  of  Dr. 
J.  W.  Chapman  was  felt  everywhere.  He  was 
not  merely  conducting  one  meeting.  He  was 
advising  with  and  helping  all.  Many  a  prob- 
lem was  carefully  handled  and  wisely  solved  by 
these  two  men  of  God  who  had  been  called  to 
be  standard  bearers  in  this  great  battle  against 
sin. 

Previous  to  that  fourteenth  day  of  February 
Christians  of  fifteen  denominations  had  been  on 
their  knees  in  humiliation  and  confession  of  sin, 
and  intercession  for  lost  ones.  The  leaders 
could  not  be  appathetic.  *'There  was  fire  in  the 
midst  of  the  wheels  and  all  felt  its  glow."  The 
usual  "warming  up"  sermons  were  not  needed. 


82         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


Fields  were  white  to  the  harvest.  At  the  first 
meetings  converts  confessed  Christ  by  the  score^ 
and  in  a  few  days  by  hundreds.  The  whole  city 
was  breathing  a  spiritual  atmosphere,  and  few 
were  so  hardened  in  sin  as  to  be  unwilling  to 
hear  about  the  great  salvation.  The  meeting 
places  overflowed,  as  the  interest  deepened  and 
grew. 

Volunteer  choirs,  principally  of  the  young 
people  of  the  churches,  led  by  trained  and  con- 
secrated Gospel  singers,  sent  out  the  good  news 
of  salvation  in  mighty  hallelujahs  of  sacred  song* 
The  evangelists,  pastors  and  Bible  expositors 
lifted  up  the  infallible  Word  and  preached  and 
taught  the  message  of  salvation,  as  they  only 
can  who  are  endued  with  power  from  high* 
Noon  hour  meetings  were  held  for  fac- 
tory girls,  also  for  business  people,  and  thou- 
sands turned  long  enough  from  the  sweat  and 
toil  of  the  daily  burden  to  get  a  few  crumbs 
of  the  "Bread  of  God  wnich  cometh  down  from 
Heaven." 

THREE  MONDAYS. 

Monday  is  usually  the  off  day  with  ministers. 
They  must  relax  a  little  from  their  toil.  After 
the  Sabbath  they  "turn  aside  and  rest  awhile." 
But  none  thought  of  their  accustomed  Monday 
rest.  They  were  too  busy  now.  Great  inter- 
ests were  at  stake."  They  must  "work  while 
it  is  called  day." 

On  February  15th,  the  Fountain  Room  of 
the  Fourth  Avenue  Baptist  Church  was  crowded 
to  the  doors  to  welcome  the  evangelists.  Thir- 


Progress  of  the  Meetings  83 


teen  evangelists  with  their  soloists  sat  in  a 
group  in  a  corner  of  the  room.  Five  hundred 
ministers  and  laymen  filled  the  seats  and  before 
the  meeting  closed  a  great  crowd  of  professional 
and  business  and  laboring  men  gathered  about 
the  door  until  standing  room  was  scarcely  to  be 
found.  The  meeting  began  at  10.30  Monday 
morning,  a  goodly  hour  for  five  hundred  preach- 
ers wearied  with  the  Sabbath  work.  The  regu- 
lar meetings  of  the  Ministerial  Association  had 
been  abandoned,  and  all  assembled  at  this  cen- 
ter. On  the  platform  were  Dr.  J.  W.  Chapman, 
the  director  of  the  whole  movement ;  Rev-  J.  P. 
Calhoun,  the  local  chairman ;  Dr.  T.  J.  Leak, 
Vice-Chairman  of  the  Local  Committee,  and  Dr. 
J.  M.  Gray,  the  special  Bible  teacher  of  the 
campaign.  Mr.  Harry  Maxwell  conducted  the 
singing,  and  Dr.  Leak  led  in  the  devotional  ser- 
vice. He  prayed  earnestly  for  the  success  of 
the  great  movement.  In  a  short  address  Dr. 
Calhoun  outlined  the  plan  of  the  movement, 
told  the  various  steps  of  its  progress,  and  in 
the  name  of  the  ministry  and  churches  of  Al- 
legheny County  welcomed  the  evangelists. 

Dr.  Chapman  followed.  He  said  that  not  in 
a  quarter  of  a  century  has  there  been  in  Amer- 
ica a  religious  movement  so  extensive,  so  full 
of  promise,  and  so  likely  to  be  followed  by  wide- 
spread influence  as  this.  In  speaking  of  the 
dangers  of  the  movement  he  suggested  that  its 
very  size  might  contain  a  peril.  He  urged  that 
the  ministers  and  evangelists  be  careful  in  deal- 
ing with  great  multitudes  to  keep  themselves 


84         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


well  in  control,  and  make  their  appeals  to  the' 
steady,  not  easily  influenced  few,  whose  pres- 
ence in  every  meeting  is  the  dominant  influ- 
ence. He  urged  prayer  and  watchfulness  on  the 
part  of  the  leaders. 

Then  the  evangelists  were  introduced  and 
each  spoke  about  one  minute.  Dr.  J'. 
C.  Chapman  said  that  in  McKeesport  they  had 
no  room  to  accommodate  the  crowds.  Dr.  John 
Robertson  said,  "The  most  remarkble  thing  he 
had  encountered  was  the  weeping,  the  emotion 
of  those  convicted  of  sin,  a  thing  we  had  all 
desired  to  see,  but  had  not  witnessed  for  a  long 
time."  Dr.  F.  E.  Smiley  spoke  of  the  vivid  ex- 
periences of  God's  grace  in  some  who  had  been 
brought  to  Christ  in  Shadyside.  Dr.  Walton 
spoke  of  the  harmonious  and  cordial  fellowship, 
of  the  South  Side  ministry.  Others  spoke  in 
similar  strains.  Dr.  James  M.  Gray  then  spoke 
more  at  length  of  the  spiritual  significance  of 
the  Simultaneous  Revival  Movement,  and 
urged  the  cultivation  among  the  ministry  of  a 
deep  sense  of  appreciation  of  this  feature  of  the 
work.  He  plead  with  all  to  give  themselves  up 
wholly  to  the  leadings  of  the  Spirit  seeking 
an  immediate  response  and  yielding  of  hearts 
to  the  Holy  Ghost.  He  concluded  with  a 
short  and  earnest  prayer  in  which  many  hearts 
joined. 

At  ten  minutes  before  twelve  the  meeting 
closed  amid  deep  impressions,  it  being  evident 
that  every  minister  present  had  been  made 
thoughtful  and  every  heart  touched  by  the  ser- 


Progress  of  the  Meetings  85 


vice  of  the  hour.  At  twelve  o'clock  another 
meeting  began  in  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Churjh,  and  to  that  many  immediately  turned. 
The.' e  noon-day  meetings  have  fuller  notice  in 
another  chapter,  and  we  need  not  turn  our  at- 
tention to  them  here. 

Monday,  February  22nd  was  a  day  of  confer- 
ence and  prayer  to  which  the  ministers  of  Pitts- 
burg and  surrounding  cities  and  towns  were  in- 
vited. The  whole  day  was  given  up  to  services 
connected  with  the  Evangelistic  Campaign,  and 
during  the  day  no  less  than  six  meetings  were 
held.  The  people  going  from  one  meeting  to 
another  and  in  one  case  at  least  literally  block- 
ing the  street  for  a  short  time  so  that  traffic 
had  to  be  suspended  in  front  of  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church. 

The  first  meeting  was  a  ^^good  cheer^^ 
meeting  held  in  the  Fourth  Avenue  Bap- 
tist Church  at  ten  o'clock  a.  m.  Drs. 
Unapman  and  Calhoun  presiding.  A  short  ac- 
count of  the  various  meetings  being  given  by 
different  evangelists.  Ihere  was  not  only  earn- 
estness and  enthusiasm,  but  there  was  also  the 
most  hopeful  anticipation  of  blessings  yet  to  be. 
While  some  of  the  meetings  had  not  yet  at- 
tained all  that  they  hoped  for,  none  thought  of 
giving  up  the  battle.  Indeed,  in  one  place 
where  it  had  been  intended  to  close  with  one 
week  of  service  it  was  decided  to  continue  for 
another  week  even  though  the  results  had  not 
been  all  that  were  desired. 

Following   this   meeting   at   eleven  o'clock 


86         The  Pittsbutg  Revival 


Dr.  Gray  spoke  to  ministers  and  Chris- 
tian workers.  He  placed  his  dictrine  of 
the  Christian  Life  on  so  high  a  plane 
that  it  seemed  unattainable  even  to  the 
ministry,  but  many  yielded  consent  to  his  teach- 
ings, and  not  a  few  were  led  to  seek  a  closer 
relationship  to  the  dear  Lord  through  the  filling 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  A  powerful  impression 
was  made  by  Dr.  Gray  in  his  appeal  at  the 
close  of  this  meeting,  and  the  ministers  present, 
I  think,  were  better  prepared  for  the  service 
of  the  Master  through  having  been  present  that 
Monday  morning. 

From  this  meeting  the  people  rushed  to  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  to  the  ''Business 
People^s  Noon-Day  Meetings,**  as  it  was  called. 
Dr.  Chapman  conducted  the  service  here,  which 
lasted  for  forty-five  minutes.  The  house  being 
literally  packed  even  in  the  galleries,  and 
earnestness  prevailing  which  had  seldom  been 
seen  in  Pittsburg. 

At  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Mr.  S.  H. 
Hadley,  superintendent  of  the  Water  Street 
Mission,  New  York  City,  spoke.  He  thrilled 
and  touched  all  who  were  present  by  his  ac- 
count of  the  needy  ones  with  which  he  min- 
gled and  many  a  heart  was  stirred  that  day 
with  this  world's  deepest  sorrow — the  sin  of 
those  who  love  the  darkness  of  a  great  city. 
Mr.  Hadley's  mission  to  Pittsburg  at  this  time, 
when  so  many  hearts  were  tender,  was  not  in 
vain. 

This  was  followed  by  an  address  by  Rev. 


Progress  of  the  Meetings  87 


L.  W.  Munhall  at  2  :30  p.  m.,  and  this  again  by 
a  most  powerful  sermon  by  Rev.  John  Robert- 
son at  3 :30.  Ministers  from  Western  Penn- 
sylvania and  Eastern  Ohio  attended  these 
Monday  meetings  and  carried  impressions 
in  their  hearts  and  on  their  tongues 
home  with  them  until  in  a  little  while  there  was 
a  spiritual  awakening  for  a  hundred  miles 
around,  and  requests  for  help  in  conducting 
meetings,  and  for  evangelists  to  speak  came 
daily  to  the  office-  No  sooner  were  these  cen- 
tral meetings  inaugurated  than  the  great  cam- 
paign became  the  principal  topic  in  the  stores, 
offices,  mills,  churches,  homes  and  in  the  daily 
press.  The  way  was  truly  open  everywhere  to 
speak  a  word  for  the  Kingdom  of  God. 

February  29th  was  almost  a  repetition  of  the 
service  of  February  22nd.  The  program  of  that 
day  is  here  given : 

PROGRAM. 

Day  of  Conference  and  Prayer  for  Pittsburg 
AND  Surrounding  Cities  and  Towns 
Monday,  February  29th 

Fourth  Avenue  Baptist  Church — 

10:00  a.  m.— Rev.  J.  Wilbur  Chapman,  D. 
D.,  and  Rev.  J.  P.  Calhoun,  D.  D.,  pre- 
siding. Praise  and  Thanksgiving  Ser- 
vice. A  Brief  Report  of  Meetings  by 
Rev.  H.  G.  Gleiss. 

Chorus  Leader,  Prof.  Harry  Maxwell. 
Solo  by  Mr.  Fred  Butler. 
11:00  a.  m. — Address  by  J.  Wilbur  Chap- 
man, D.  D. 


88         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


Second  Presbyterian  Church — 
12  :00  m. — Noon  Meeting. 

Rev.  R.  A.  Walton,  D.  D. 

Solo  by  Mr.  Fred  Butler. 
2:00  p.  m— Rev.  T.  J.  Leak,  D.  D.,  pre- 
siding.    Address  by   Rev-   W.   E.  Bied- 

erwolf. 

2 :45  p.  m. — Sermon     by     Rev.  Henry 
Ostrom. 

It  shows  the  state  of  affairs  at  that  time.  It 
will  be  remembered  that  this  was  at  the  close 
of  the  first  series  of  central  meetings.  The  first 
fruits  had  been  gathered  tnough  not  all  the 
results  were  known.  It  was  indeed  a  time  for 
praise  and  thanksgiving  and  many  hearts  were 
filled  v/ith  gratitude  and  many  lips  proclaimed 
His  praise  who  had  sent  showers  of  blessings 
upon  our  community. 

With  one  or  two  exceptions,  the  cen- 
tral meetings  had  continued  now  for  six- 
teen days.  During  this  part  of  the  cam- 
campaign  about  sixty  meetings  had  been  held 
daily.  It  was  the  original  purpose  that  at 
this  time  the  districts  should  hold  meetings  for 
one  week  or  more,  but  God's  plan  and  work 
had  extended  so  far  beyond  our  thought  and 
plans  that  this  could  not  be.  The  large  num- 
ber of  central  meetings  had  removed  the  neces- 
sity for  resuming  union  efforts  in  the  districts, 
and  in  many  cases  pastors  returned  at  once  to 
their  own  fields.  These  Monday  meetings  had 
given  all  an  equipment  and  inspiration  for  this 
work. 


REV.  HENRY  OSTROM 


19 


MR.  J.  P.  HIL.I.IS 


Progress  of  the  Meetings  89 


At  this  point  it  may  be  proper  to  answer  the 
question  why  did  the  movement  widen  and 
deepen  so  rapidly  that  the  committee  in  charge 
was  scarcely  able  to  keep  pace  with  it.  We  give 
several  reasons: 

(a)  Thoroughness  of  Organization. 

We  believed  that  God  would  not  give  us  a  re- 
vival of  religion  any  more  than  He  would  put 
up  a  church  building  without  the  use  of  human 
means.  Accordingly  a  plan  of  work  was  pre- 
pared. It  was  built  on  scriptural  methods.  We 
believed  that  the  Head  of  the  Church  would 
approve  it  and  we  stuck  to  it  ourselves. 

(b)  The  co-operation  of  the  secular  and  re- 

ligious press. 

The  good  work  of  the  daily  papers  was  of  in- 
estimable value.  In  striking  head-lines  the  re- 
vival was  declared  to  be  the  "greatest  Evan- 
gelistic Movement  in  history."  Full  and  ac- 
curate accounts  of  every  important  feature  and 
meeting  were  given  by  conscientious  and  pains- 
taking reporters,  who  manifested  as  much  in- 
terest in  the  movement  as  those  actively  en- 
gaged in  carrying  it  on. 

The  committee's  press  agent  worked  day 
and  night  that  no  item  of  news  might 
be  lost  that  would  help  on  the  great 
publicity  given  the  movement.  When  the  cam- 
paign had  reached  high  tide  all  Christendom 
knew  Of  it,  and  at  home  and  in  other  lands 
thousands  were  praying  that  Pittsburg's  bless- 


90         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


ing  might  be  the  harbinger  of  the  world's  re- 
demption. 

(c)  Unity  of  Effort, 

There  were  fifteen  denominations,  hundreds  of 
churches,  and  not  one  note  of  discord.  There 
was  never  one  dissenting  vote  on  any  question 
considered  by  the  General  Committee.  We 
stood  before  the  world  a  united  church 
for  the  furtherance  of  the  Mission  of 
the  Son  of  God.  This  attitude  removed 
prejudice  on  the  part  of  the  church- 
goers and  seemed  like  the  fulfillment  of  the 
Saviour's  prayer  that  all  his  Disciples  might 
be  one.  It  is  a  fact  that  the  unsaved  world 
cares  nothing  for  denominationalism.  The  sor- 
rowing, the  crying,  the  dying,  the  perishing, 
do  most  of  them  feel  that  they  need  Jesus.  It 
is  a  great  day  for  God  and  the  lost  when  the 
Christian  churches  of  many  names  stand  to- 
gether to  lift  higher  and  higher  Christ  and  His; 
Cross. 

(d)  The  co-operation  of  the  finance  committee. 

This  committee  was  composed  of  fifteen  of 
the  representative  business  men  of  the  com- 
munity. They  were  also  men  who  were  known 
for  their  activity  and  zeal  as  Christian  work- 
ers in  the  respective  denominations  to  whieb 
they  belonged.  These  men  greatly  assisted  the 
movement  by  relieving  the  General  Committee 
of  all  care  and  responsibility  in  the  matter  of 
finances. 


Progress  of  the  Meetings  91 


(e)  The  preaching  of  the  old  Gospel. 

Men  of  God  came  to  preach  it  with  the  hand 
of  divine  ordination  resting  upon  them.  The 
old  Gospel  of  salvation  from  sin  and  hell, 
through  the  sacrificial  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ, 
had  right  of  way.  God  set  His  seal  upon  the 
burning  message  of  His  own  truth  and  His 
word  did  not  return  unto  Him  void. 

In  every  meeting  faithful  Gospel  singers  and 
workers  helped  to  deepen  the  impression. 

(f)  And  specially  hy  the  preparatory  prayer 
Meetings, 

There  has  never  yet  been  a  true  revival  of 
religion  that  was  not  ji ought  by  the  Holy 
Ghost  down  from  Heaven  in  answer  to  prayer. 
This  one  was  no  exception. 


CHAPTER  X 


THE  WINDOWS  OF  HEAVEN  OPENED 

It  would  be  impossible  to  make  mention  of 
the  deepening  interest  in  each  of  the  meetings 
held  in  the  two  weeks,  following  February  14th. 
Each  morning's  paper  brought  notice  of  some 
new  feature  of  the  campaign.  Occasionally  a 
report  of  the  numbers  present  or  of  the  num- 
ber converted  was  made,  but  for  the  most  part, 
there  was  a  lack  of  statistics  in  the  daily 
reports.  It  is  true  that  many  depended  upon 
figures  as  the  only  satisfying  returns  of  the 
movement  ,and  reports  that  indicated  large 
numbers  of  inquirers  were  eagerly  sought  by 
the  readers.  Space  will  only  permit  us  to  give 
here  a  brief  note  of  the  great  central  meetings 
that  were  held  and  even  these  must  of  neces- 
sity be  unsatisfactory,  especially  to  those  who 
took  part  in  the  meetings,  and  knew  their 
power.  j 
ALLEGHENY. 

BY  REV.  E.  L.  EATON,  D.  D. 

Dr.  J.  Wilbur  Chapman  began  his  work  in 
the  North  Avenue  M.  E.  Church  Allegheny,  on 
the  14 th  of  February.  From  the  very  first  the 


The  Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  93 


building,  seating  something  over  a  thousand 
was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity,  and  many 
were  unable  at  each  service  to  gain  entrance. 

The  large  chorus  choir  was  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Rev.  J.  Allison  Platts,  pastor  of  the 
Central  Presbyterian  Church  of  Allegheny, 
and  he  proved  to  be  an  excellent  and  enthusi- 
astic leader.  At  each  service  one  or  more  solos 
were  sung  by  Mr.  Fred  Butler,  of  Niagara 
Falls,  New  York.  His  singing  was  greatly  ap- 
preciated. 

Dr.  Chapman  seemed  always  at  his  best.  He 
was  intense,  earnest  and  spiritual,  yet 
always  exceedingly  plain  and  simple.  He 
spoke  as  one  who  knew  God  and  who  also 
knew  and  loved  souls.  He  impressed  one  as  a 
person  deep  in  love  with  the  Gospel  and  God's 
method  of  offering  men  salvation,  full,  present, 
and  free.  He  illustrated  the  truth  with  inci- 
dents of  daily  life,  full  of  the  human  element 
and  of  pathos.  He  so  presented  Christ  that 
none  could  possibly  go  away  feeling  that  there 
was  no  hope  for  him. 

Dr.  Chapman  is  a  great  leader.  He  is 
always  master  of  the  situation.  He  is  full  of 
tact,  he  knows  what  to  do,  and  how  to  do  it 
under  all  circumstances.  In  addition  to  his 
general  management  of  the  whole  campaign, 
his  management  of  this  great  meeting  was  ad- 
mirable. His  appeals  from  the  platform  were 
direct  and  earnest,  the  object  being  to  secure 
some  expression  of  a  desire  to  be  saved. 
When   this   determination  had  been  publicly 


94         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


avowed  the  was  opened  for  the  personal 

workers  who  in  every  meeting  were  efficient 
and  earnest  in  leading  souls  to  a  knowledge  of 
Christ. 

Various  methods  were  followed  in  the  after 
meetings.  rPayer,  testimonials,  public  con- 
fessions of  Christ,  and  sometimes  altar  services 
were  held  at  which  penitents  came  forward  and 
kneeled  together  with  the  pastors  and  workers, 
and  were  personally  instructed  and  led  to 
Christ.  Inquirer's  cards  were  generally  used 
and  thus  a  complete  record  of  each  meeting's 
victories  was  secured  so  far  as  names  of  per- 
sons seeking  salvation  would  indicate. 

The  second  week  of  Dr.  Chapman's  meetings 
was  held  in  Carnegie  Music  Hall.  Here  the 
throng  was  greater  than  ever,  and  the  interest 
even  more  marked  than  during  the  first  week. 
In  addition  to  these  regular  preaching  services 
there  were  meetings  for  men  and  boys  and  for 
women  held  in  the  churches  near  the  central 
meeting  place.  These  meetings  were  attended 
by  immense  crowds,  anu  the  interest  was  deep. 

The  results  of  these  meetings  can  never  be 
fully  known,  but  the  increased  interest  in 
Christian  work,  the  larger  attendance  upon  the 
means  of  grace,  the  quickened  spiritual  life 
among  church  members,  the  ingathering  of 
multitudes  into  nearly  every  church;  these  are 
some  of  the  results  which  at  once  appeared. 
The  whole  movement  has  left  a  pleasant  mem- 
ory. On  every  hand  come  enthusiastic  words  of 
endorsement  and  of  commendation.    All  classes 


The  "Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  95 


speak  favorably  and  devout  hearts  thank  God 
for  the  gracious  display  of  his  saving  and  sanc- 
tifying power. 

DOWN  TOWN. 
BY  REV.  I.  A.  BARNES. 

The  Down-Town  meetings  were  among  the 
most  powerful  of  the  series.  They  were  held 
in  the  Fourth  Avenue  Baptist  Church  and  con- 
ducted by  the  Rev.  W.  E.  Biederwolf,  evange- 
list, and  Prof.  Harry  Maxwell,  singer.  Owing 
to  the  location  of  this  church  so  far  from  the 
resident  districts  of  the  city  it  was  feared  that 
the  maintainance  of  a  week  night  service  would 
be  a  difficult  problem,  but  the  local  committee 
having  charge  of  this  meeting  under  the  leader- 
ship of  Rev.  W.  G.  Partridge,  D.  D.,  gave  such 
wide  notice  of  the  meetings  in  their  numerous 
advertising  schemes  that  it  is  believed  this  was 
one  of  the  ways  in  which  this  meeting  was  made 
successful.  One  hundred  twenty  thousand 
cards,  posters  and  hand  bills  were  printed  and 
distributed.  Never  was  the  Fourth  Avenue 
Baptist  Church  so  crowded  night  after  night  as 
during  these  meetings.  So  great  was  the  at- 
tendance that  at  some  services  hundreds  of 
people  stood  at  the  sides  and  rear  ^f  the  church, 
and  other  hundreds  could  not  get  inside  the 
door. 

The  gospel  message  by  Mr.  Biederwolf  was 
aimed  direct  at  the  heart  and  conscience.  So 
earnest  and  intense  was  his  manner  that  the 
most  indifferent  sinner  must  feel  that  this  man 
of  God  was  deeply  interested  in  the  salvation 


96  The  Pittsburg  Revival 


of  every  lost  soul.  All  that  has  been  said  of 
the  power  of  song  to  win  men  to  Christ,  might 
truthfully  be  said  of  the  singing  under  the  di- 
rection of  Mr.  Maxwell. 

The  success  of  the  meetings  as  shown  by  the 
number  of  conversions  and  definite  decisions 
was  due  in  a  large  measure  to  the  un- 
tiring zeal  and  efforts  of  the  large  corps  of 
personal  workers.  These  workers,  organized 
and  directed  by  Mr.  Nathan  Jones,  of  the 
Second  M.  P.  Church,  were  most  effective  in 
their  plans.  Every  person  who  in  response  to 
the  appeals  of  the  evangelist  should  manifest  a 
desire  to  live  a  better  life  was  dealt  with  per- 
sonally by  some  consecrated  worker,  and  the 
seven  hundred  or  more  who  signed  cards  or 
went  into  the  inquiry  meetings  were  each  in- 
structed and  encouraged  by  an  earnest  Christian 
friend. 

In  estimating  the  results  of  this  wonderful 
meeting,  we  do  not  anticipate  that  the  im- 
mediate ingathering  to  the  churches  of  the  dis- 
trict will  be  very  much,  but  the  blessing  extends 
to  the  churches  beyond  those  who  took 
part  in  the  local  work.  The  names  of 
those  signing  cards  were  distributed  far  and 
near  even  to  distant  states  and  portions  of  the 
country  as  well  as  to  the  churches  of  all  denomi- 
nations in  and  about  the  city.  The  spirit  of 
unity  made  the  army  of  God  strong,  and  met  the 
conditions  of  the  Divine  Father  for  the 
bestowment  of  power  as  in  the  upper  chamber 
at  Pentacost. 


REV.  W.  S.  MILLER 


REV.  LESTER  G.  L,^  GGl^lTT 


The  "Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  97 


EAST  LIBERTY. 
BY  REV.  FRANK  W.  SNEED,  D.  D. 

Rev.  L.  W.  Munhall,  D.  D.,  was  the  evangel- 
ist for  the  revival.  It  had  already  begun  in 
the  he?irts  of  a  band  of  praying  Christians,  and 
they  knew  from  whence  it  came.  Dr.  Munhall 
proved  a  true  servant  of  God.  His  preaching 
was  old-fashioned,  doctrinal  and  scriptural.  He 
chose  great  subjects  such  as  ''Inspiration  of 
the  Scripture,"  "Assurance,"  "Prayer,"  "Second 
Coming  of  Christ,"  etc.  ^ine  meetings  which 
proved  the  most  fruitful  in  immediate  results 
were  those  held  Sunday  afternoon  and  evening. 
The  meeting  for  young  people  the  first  Sunday 
afternoon,  and  the  meeting  for  young  men  the 
second  Sunday  afternoon  were  memorable. 
More  than  a  hundred  confessed  Christ  in  each 
of  them.  At  both  of  these  meetings  the  church 
was  packed,  though  the  weather  was  very  un- 
favorable. 

Another  interesting  feature  of  the  meeting 
in  East  Liberty  was  the  ministers'  prayer 
meeting  held  every  evening  fifteen  minutes  be- 
fore the  regular  service.  No  lea^der  was  ap- 
pointed. No  one  had  it  in  charge.  They  simply 
gathered  in  one  of  the  chapel  rooms,  and  there 
on  their  knees  carried  their  several  burdens  to 
the  great  head  of  the  church. 

The  fruit  of  this  work  must  not  be  measured 
simply  by  the  number  of  those  who  confessed 
Christ  lit  the  time.  In  many  of  the  churches 
4 


98  The  Pittsbiif  g  Revival 

more  came  out  for  Chrhit  after  the  meetings 
than  during  the  time  they  were  held.  Christians 
had  been  revived,  and  tney  v^ere  seeking  the  lost. 
For  several  vreeks  after  the  meetings  closed 
scarcely  a  day  passed  that  an  unsaved  person 
was  not  brought  to  me  by  some  church  mem- 
ber for  conference  and  prayer. 

Another  fruit  of  the  meetings  was  the  effect  on 
unbelieving  men  who  had  grown  skeptical  and 
in  their  speculations  had  thrust  in  natural  law 
or  some  other  high  priest  to  remove  God  from 
us.  When  they  saw  the  operation  of  His  Spirit 
in  the  conversion  of  men  they  realized  the  im- 
minence of  God  and  feared.  We  had  some  in- 
teresting cases  of  this  kind.  I  believe  one  genu- 
ine work  of  grace  will  do  more  to  remove  doubts 
and  dfficulties  than  all  the  revision  committees 
ever  apointed  or  theological  combats  that  can 
ever  be  held. 

The  Simultaneous  Evangelistic  Movement 
will  be  preserved  in  the  history  of  the  religious 
life  of  this  great  city.  I  am  grateful  to  have 
Jiad  a  humble  part  in  it. 

HOMEWOOD. 

BY  REV.  ROBERT  W.  WOODS 

Eternity  alone  will  fully  reveal  the  far-reach- 
ing influences  for  good  of  the  Homewood  Dis- 
trict meetings.  These  successful,  inspiring  ser- 
vices of  two  weeks  were  conducted  by  Dr.  L. 
W.  Munhall  and  Rev.  O.  F.  Pugh.  These  con- 
secrated servants  of  God  have  highly  honored 
the  office  of  the  evangelist.    They  stood  to 


The  Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  99 


show  themselves  approved  unto  God,  workmen 
who  need  not  be  ashamed  rightly  dividing  the 
word  of  truth. 

The  following  churches  united  in  the  cam- 
paign, Homewood  Baptist,  Homewood  Avenue 
M.  E.,  Hamilton  Avenue  U.  P.,  Homewood  Ave- 
nue Presbyterian,  and  the  Lutheran  Church  of 
the  Redeemer. 

The  special  meetings  held  for  men,  for  women, 
and  for  children,  were  of  great  profit  and  bless- 
ing to  all.  The  open  air  service  on  the  street 
opposite  a  saloon  was  not  in  vain.  Dr.  Mun- 
hall  visited  the  saloons,  and  invited  the  keepers 
and  their  patrons  to  attend  the  gospel  services. 
A  son  of  a  saloon  keeper  professed  conversion. 

Dr.  Munhall  preached  the  Word  of  God  with 
mighty  power  and  boldness,  with  earnest,  en- 
thusiastic zeal  and  fearless  courage.  Pie  relied 
upon  the  Word,  inspired  and  used  by  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  convince  of  sin,  to  convict  the  sinner 
and  to  lead  the  truly  repenting  one  to  a  saving 
faith  in  the  loving  Redeemer.  His  plain,  practi- 
cal preaching  to  the  church  members  has  greatly 
increased  the  attendance  and  devotion  at  the 
mid  week  prayer  services,  and  the  general  in- 
fluences over  the  whole  comunity  have  made  it 
much  easier  for  pastors  to  do  their  work. 

The  choir  of  nearly  100  voices  conducted  by 
Rev.  O.  F.  Pugh  was  one  of  the  best.  As  there 
is  but  one  L.  W.  Munhall  so  there  is  but  one 
O.  F.  Pugh.  He  was  the  consecrated  inspira- 
tion for  the  choir.  Through  his  leadership  the 
choir  rendered  most  effective  service. 


100        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


As  a  result  of  the  services  three  hundred  and 
fifty  people  have  been  brought  into  the  member- 
ship of  these  five  churches.  These  are  but  some 
of  the  immediate  results.  The  good  influence  of 
the  meetings  is  now  going  on,  ever  increasing, 
ever  widening,  ever  blessed  of  God  to  whom  be 
all  the  praise. 

OAKLAND. 

The  meetings  in  Oakland  were  held  in  the 
First  United  Presbyterian  Church  under  the 
direction  of  Rev.  E.  F.  Hallenbeck.  Conform- 
ing to  the  custom  of  that  denomination  psalms 
were  sung  and  despite  the  fears  of 
some  that  these  would  detract  from  the  ser- 
vice there  was  profound  interest.  The  psalms 
earnestly  sung  made  an  impression.  Dr.  jual- 
lenbeck  spoke  earnestly  and  effectively,  holding 
two  meetings  each  day.  The  numerous  car- 
riages that  stood  about  the  church  indicate^ 
that  not  all  v^ho  wore  present  were  people  of 
moderate  moans.  It  was  a  place  where  the 
"rich  and  the  poor  met  together,''  and  the  Lord 
was  there  to  bless  them  all.  At  one  meeting 
fifty  persons  requested  the  prayers  of  God's 
people,  at  the  closing  meeting  one  hundred  and 
at  nearly  every  meeting  there  was  an  indication 
of  interest. 

Since  the  close  of  the  meetings  the  in- 
gatherings have  been  most  gratifying.  All 
classes  of  people  were  effected  by  these 
meetings,  and  I  think  that  multitudes  learned 
to  depend  more  upon  the  grace  of  God  and  his 


The  Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  101 


power  in  winning  souls  to  his  kingdom.  There 
are  many  who,  though  possessed  of  all  the  com- 
forts and  even  luxuries  of  this  life,  are  not 
satisfied.  Well  fed,  yet  hungry ;  rich,  yet  in 
deep  need.  The  cry  of  a  human  soul  is  not 
greatly  effected  by  its  earthly  surroundings. 
Only  Jesus  can  satisfy  the  longing  soul,  only 
the  Saviour  of  men  can  give  that  peace  which 
passeth  knov/ledge. 

soujh  side. 

BY  REV.  H.  C.  GLEISS 

The  centra]  meeting  held  on  the  South  Side 
was  participated  in  by  ten  churches.  Dr.  S. 
A.  Hunter  was  chairman  and  Rev.  H.  C.  Gleiss 
secretary  for  the  District.  The  meetings  were 
held  the  first  week  in  the  Union  Baptist  Church 
and  the  second  week  in  the  South  Side  Presby- 
terian, the  afternoon  meetings  in  the  First  Ger- 
man Baptist.  Rev.  R.  A.  Walton,  D.  D.,  was 
the  evangelist  in  charge,  and  he  did  some  very 
excellent  preaching.  The  plan  of  salvation  was 
very  clearly  and  most  earnestly  set  forth. 

The  attendance  was  good  and  the  results  very 
fine.  Three  hundred  and  forty-eight  cards  were 
signed  and  turned  in  to  the  chief  usher.  There 
were  during  this  time,  Feb.  1,  to  May  8th, 
actually  received  by  the  churches  participating 
in  the  fleeting : 


102 


The  Pittsburg  Revival 


S.  S.  Presbyterian 
Walton  M.  E. 
Puritan  Cong. 
Union  Baptist 
Ninth  U.  P. 
First  Ger.  Baptist 
Welsh  Cong. 
Bingham  St.  M.  E. 
German  M.  E. 
Methodist  Protestant 


84 
80 
40 
38 
24 
20 
5 
1 
0 
5 


297 


Beside  this  our  churches  were  very  much 
strengthened  and  the  acquaintances  made  and 
fellowship  enjoyed  were  very  refreshing. 


The  entire  movement  within  this  district  was 
characterized  by  the  fullest  cordiality,  and  was 
notable  for  the  co-operation  of  the  pastors  and 
religious  leaders.  All  denominational  differ- 
ences were  forgotten  for  the  time  in  the  one 
common  purpose,  spiritual  quickening,  soul  sav- 
ing. Previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  evangelists 
many  union  prayer  meetings  were  held,  and 
also  conferences  for  prayer,  so  that  the  move- 
ment was  well  begun  under  the  blessing  of  the 
Master,  and  the  interest  rapidly  increased  by 
the  coming  of  Rev.  Henry  Ostrom  and  Mr. 
John  P.  Hillis. 

These  men  of  God  entered  upon  the 
two    weeks    compaign    with    a    zeal  that 


WEST  END. 


BY  REV.  W.  R.  THOMPSON 


The  Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  103 


knew  no  abatement  during  their  stay,  even 
gathering  in  force  as  it  neared  the  end.  Mr. 
Ostrom's  preaching  was  marked  by  clearness, 
force,  tenderness,  earnestness,  and  was  wholly 
scriptural  Mr.  Hillis  was  a  fit  complement 
of  Mr.  Ovvtrom  and  sustained  the  work  at  every 
point  by  his  rich,  sympathetic  voice,  and  the 
rare  directoiship  of  the  chorus  and  large  con- 
gregation. Dr.  Ostrom's  effort  was  to  build 
from  the  foundation.  Immediate  results  in 
the  way  of  ingathering  were  sub-servient  to  the 
great  purpose,  to  lay  a  proper  foundation  that 
the  fruit  of  his  labor  migat  De  seen  in  the  years 
to  come. 

Some  of  the  immediate  results  may  be 
noted.  A  deeper  spirituality  among  the 
professed  followers  of  Christ,  manifest  in 
more  largely  attended  prayer  meetings,  in  which 
more  persons  lead  in  prayer.  More  efficient 
work  in  the  Sunday  School,  and  a  fuller 
realization  of  the  importance,  and  duty  of 
teaching  the  Gospel  to  the  young;  better 
attendance  upon  divine  ordinances  on  the  Sab- 
bath, and  family  religion  has  been  encouraged 
and  helped.  Numerous  converts  have  found 
membership  in  the  various  congregations  of  the 
district",  and  are  abiding  in  the  faith.  There  is 
a  noticeable  increase  in  the  religious  tone  of 
society  generally,  and  a  fuller  co-operation 
among  Christians.  These  are  some  of  the  many^ 
benefits  derived  from  these  memorable  days  when 
God  answered  the  prayers  of  His  people,  richly 
blessing  Zion. 


104       The  Pittsburg  Revival 


LAWRENOEYILLE. 

Dr.  John  Robertson  who  conducted  the  evan- 
gelistic^ service  in  Lawrenceville  is  the  sucessor 
of  the  famous  Dr.  John  McNeal,  in  London. 
He  is  a  preacher  of  great  power.  He  said  he 
had  never  found  a  field  ready  for  a  greater 
work  than  that  open  in  Lawrenceville,  and  that 
he  had  never  witnessed  greater  emotion. 

The  services  were  held  in  the  Seventh  U.  P. 
Church,  and  in  the  Butler  Street  M.  E.  Church 
with  special  services  in  Keane's  Auditorium, 
and  the  Forty-third  Street  Presbyterian  Church. 
One  of  the  peculiar  features  of  the  work  was 
the  combination  of  a  Scotch  Presbyterian, 
preaching  in  a  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  a  mourner's  bench  such  as  would  be  found 
in  a  Methodist  Church. 

More  than  two  hundred  conversions  were  re- 
ported at  the  end  of  the  first  week.  Some  of  the 
churches  of  Lawrenceville  did  not  receive  large 
accessions  after  the  meetings,  but  others  were 
greatly  blessed.  Seventy  were  received  into  the 
Lutheran  Church,  and  a  large  number  into  the 
Seventh  U.  P.  Church. 

Valuable  asistance  was  rendered  by  the  Law- 
renceville branch  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  A  house 
to  house  visitation  was  undertaken,  each  church 
being  given  a  section  to  take  care  of.  In  this 
way  thirty  thousand  tickets  and  invitations 
were  distributed.  On  a  Sababth  afternoon  a 
thousand  men  and  boys  were  in  Keane's  Audi- 
torium to  hear  Dr.  Robertson,  and  a  deep 
interest  was  manifested  as  he  spoke  ot  tne 


BT5V.  DAVID  WINTERS,  D.  D. 


23 


PROF.   M.   C.  BAKER 


The  Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  105 


"Two  crosses.'*  Beside  the  work  in  Lawrence- 
ville  Dr.  Robertson  was  in  demand  for  other 
services  throughout  the  city,  and  everywhere 
he  spoke  with  telling  effect. 

McKEESPORT. 
BY  REV.  KINLEY  McMILLEN. 

We  did  not  think  that  our  McKeesport 
churches  could  join  in  the  proposed  evangelistic 
movement  as  it  was  at  first  planned,  but  with 
the  progress  of  the  movement  the  plans  being 
broadened  and  modified  we  determined  to  unite 
in  it. 

Because  of  this  delay  we  were  not  able  to 
make  the  preparation  that  we  should  have  liked 
and  that  would  doubtless  have  made  our  effort 
more  fruitful.  Especially  it  was  our  loss  that 
we  could  not  arrange  for  the  prayer-meetings.  « 

Many  of  our  cnurches  had  been  holding  spe- 
cial evangelistic  services,  others  were  preparing 
for  them,  and  so  on  the  whole  our  people  were 
in  a  state  of  readiness.  We  arranged  a  series 
of  preparatory  meetings  for  the  week  preceding 
the  opening  of  the  campaign. 

These  meetings  grew  in  attendance  and  inter- 
est every  night,  and  when  Rev.  J.  C.  Chapman 
came  on  Sunday  the  people  were  expectant. 
His  first  meeting  was  for  men  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  At  that  meeting  there 
were  expressions  of  a  desire  on  the  part  of 
some  to  come  to  Christ. 
4^ 


106        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


Dr.  Chapman  held  services  afternoon  and  even- 
ing for  two  weeks  in  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church.  These  meetings  were  largely  attended, 
especially  during  the  first  week,  but  there  were 
not  very  many  in  the  congregations  who  were 
not  already  professing  Christians. 

Mr.  Schiverea  conducted  his  meetings  with 
increasing  power.  He  seemed  to  grow  better 
every  night,  and  preached  the  gospel  plainly, 
pungently,  illustratively,  and  powerfully. 
Words  of  truth  and  soberness  were  his  message. 
There  were  manifest  results  every  night.  It 
was  no  mistake  to  have  him  here.  We  are  ex- 
ceedingly glad  that  the  providence  of  God  gave 
him  to  us. 

These  meetings  reached  their  climax  in  ^^e 
noon  meetings  on  Friday  when  Dr.  Chapman 
and  Mr.  Schiverea  were  assisted  by  Mr.  Bieder- 
wolf  and  his  singer  Mr.  Harry  Maxwell.  The 
First  M.  E.  Church  was  full,  and  in  response  to 
Mr.  Biederwolf's  appeal  many  were  led  to  ask 
for  the  conversion  of  dear  friends  and  many 
manifested  a  determination  to  become  Christ- 
ians themselves. 

Of  those  churches  and  ministers  who  might 
reasonably  be  expected  to  take  part  in  such  a 
work  not  one  neld  back ;  there  was  a  re- 
markable union  of  effort  for  the  cause  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

SHARPSBURG. 

BY  REV.  T.  M.  THOMPSON,^D.  D. 

Six  churches  united  in  the  movement  here, 


The  Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  107 


Baptist,  English  Lutheran,  Methodist  Episco- 
pal, United  Presbj^terian,  Methodist  Protestant, 
and  Presbyterian.  All  the  pastors  of  these 
churches  entered  into  the  meeting  with  enthusi- 
asm. Our  communion  as  pastors  was  very- 
cordial  and  harmonious,  'ihe  meetings  were 
fairly  well  attended,  and  there  was  a  good 
interest.  Probably  forty  persons  who  signed 
cards  during  the  meetings  have  united  with  the 
churches.  The  meetings  were  characterized 
by  an  earnest  and  expectant  feeling.  There 
was  little  or  no  emotion  exhibited.  Rev. 
Thomas  Needham  was  our  evangelist.  He 
preached  wholesome  doctrines  in  an  earnest  and 
attractive  manner.  I  feel  quite  safe  in  saying 
that  the  series  of  meetings  was  very  helpful  to 
our  town.  God's  people  were  quickened  and 
souls  were  saved.  We  are  still  living  under  the 
uplift  and  inspiration  of  these  special  services. 
We  thank  God  for  the  meetings.  Our  churches 
will  all  be  better  by  reason  of  them. 

CARNEGIE. 
BY  REV.  CHARLES  C.  COWGILL 
Evangelistic  meetings  were  held  for  twg 
weeks  in  Carnegie,  beginning  February  14th, 
Rev.  James  B.  Ely,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia, 
evangelist,  assited  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Collison  as 
singer.  The  churches  uniting  in  the  movement 
were  Presbyterian,  United  Presbyterian,  Metho^ 
dist  Episcopal,  Baptist  and  Christian.  The 
pastors  of  these  churches  all  took  an  earnest 
interest. 


108        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


The  meetings  were  largely  attended,  averaging 
from  six  hundred  to  twelve  hundred.  They 
were  held  in  the  Carnegie  Music  Hall  of 
the  town,  but  it  was  not  too  large  for  the  con- 
gregations. Some  of  the  features  of  these 
meetings  were,  the  children's  chuir  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  voices,  the  general  interest  taken 
by  the  town  in  the  meetings  and  the  deeper 
impressions  made  by  all  of  the  services.  There 
was  a  house  to  house  visitation,  and  on  Satur- 
day, February  27th,  it  was  reported  that  nearly 
one  hundred  cottage  prayer  meetings  were  held- 
One  day  the  schools  were  closed  and  a  meeting 
was  held  for  the  children.  The  Spirit  of  God 
was  poured  out  abundantly  and  many  grateful 
hearts  sang  a  new  song  of  praise.  The  churches 
were  awakened  and  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
conversions  was  the  direct  result. 

HILL  TOP. 

The  preparatory  meetings  in  the  Hill  Top  dis- 
trict were  by  no  means  ordinary.  Many  cot- 
tage prayer  meetings  were  held,  and  conversic  is 
were  reported  at  some  of  them.  The 
week  of  conference  and  prayer  developed  so  much 
interest  that  even  with  the  local  pastors  as 
speakers  overflow  meetings  were  held  on 
three  evenings,  and  during  the  week  many  souls 
were  brought  to  Christ.  Rev.  E.  L.  Eaton,  D. 
D.,  of  Allegheny  City,  was  assigned  as  evange- 
list in  this  district.  He  found  a  people  ready 
to  hear  the  gospel,  and  the  interest  was 
deepened  during  the  week  of  service.  The 


The  Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  109 


churches  were  crowded.  There  was  a  prayerful 
spirit  in  all  the  meetings,  and  the  fellowship  of 
those  united  for  the  good  of  souls  was  sweet. 

Possibly  the  deepest  interest  centered  at  the 
Concord  Presbyterian  Church  where  the  pastors 
of  the  district  took  turns  in  holding  service  for 
a  week,  this  church  being  some  distance  from 
the  others.  Ine  results  there  were  the  stirring 
of  the  whole  community  as  never  before,  and  a 
large  accession  to  the  church. 

MILLYALE. 

So  deep  was  the  interest  which  developed  in 
Millvale  that  when  Evangelist  Rev.  A.  L. 
Prewett,  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  appeared  in  Pitts- 
burg a  week  before  the  evangelistic  meetings 
were  to  begin,  he  was  assigned  to  this  field  and 
began  work.  There  was  every  evidence  of  deep 
spiritual  power  at  work  among  the  people.  The 
meetings  continued  under  Mr.  Prewett's  direc- 
tion for  two  weeks.  Most  of  the  time  in  the 
Opera  House,  where  every  night  large  crowds 
were  assembled  to  hear  the  gospel.  Many  were 
reclaimed  from  lives  of  sin,  fallen  ones  were 
rescued,  the  churches  were  strengthened,  and  a 
peculiar  feature  of  the  work  was  that  it  con- 
tinued under  the  direction  of  the  pastors  for 
more  than  a  month  following  these  meetings. 
In  the  midst  of  the  interest  a  new  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  was  dedicated  with  great 
encouragements,  while  all  the  churches  received 
considerable  accessions. 


110        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


SHADY  SIDE. 

Shady  Side  is  the  home  of  many  prosperous 
people,  with  a  fringe  of  less  prosperous  popula- 
tion. Its  large  and  influential  churches  united 
earnestly  in  the  movement.  Rev.  F.  E.  Smiley, 
D.  D.,  who  was  assigned  to  this  district  found 
a  people  deeply  in  earnest  and  anxious  for  souls. 
His  mission  was  for  the  most  part  to  those  who 
were  in  prosperous  circumtances.  Many  came 
in  private  carriages  to  hear  the  sweet  gospel 
message.  It  may  be  came  poor  and  went  away 
rich  in  faith  and  heirs  of  eternal  life.  Dr. 
Smiley's  plain  talks  on  gospel  themes  attracted 
many  to  the  services.  There  was  absolutely 
nothing  sensational,  nothing  to  be  proclaimed 
in  the  head  lines  of  a  daily  paper,  nothing  out 
of  the  ordinary  way  of  the  church  of  Christ. 
It  was  a  plain  practical  gospel  to  a  needy 
people,  and  they  attended  to  it.  Inquirer's 
cards  were  not  signed  in  large  numbers.  Not 
many  stood  up  to  profess  their"  faith  in  Christ. 
There  was  not  much  indication  of  emotion  in 
the  meeting,  but  all  were  thoughtful,  and  since 
the  meetings  closed  large  accessions  have  been 
realized  in  some  of  the  churches,  the  Fourth 
Pre>ibyterian  receiving  seventy.  There  was  a 
spiritual  uplift  and  power  that  blessed  many. 
"The  Lord  hath  done  great  things"  for  us  whereof 
we  are  glad." 

WOODS  RUN. 
BY  REV.  A.  C.  DIFFENBACH. 
In  the  >.oods  Run  district,  Allegheny,  seven 


The  Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  111 


congregations  united  in  a  careful  preliminary- 
campaign,  beginning  Sunday,  I'ebruary  seventh. 
On  that  day  the  several  ministers  exchanged 
pulpits.  In  the  evening  service  each  pastor 
in  his  pulpit  took  up  tue  movement.  On  the 
following  evening  began  the  services  of  prayer 
under  efficient  leaders.  In  all,  thirty-six  meet- 
ings were  held  in  as  many  homes.  On  Wednes- 
day evening^  February  10,  there  were  two  union 
prayer  services,  one  in  the  California  Avenue 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  the  other  in 
the  McClure  Avenue  Presbyterian  Church.  All 
of  these  services  were  widely  advertised,  and  the 
results  were  fruitful.  The  attendance  aggre- 
gated 1,500.  This  preparation  for  the  cam- 
paign proper  kindled  a  glowing,  genial  fire  of 
unity  in  congregations. 

On  the  following  Sunday  Rev.  David  Win- 
ters, D.  D.,  preached  in  the  morning  to  the  con- 
gregation of  the  McClure  Avenue  Church,  and 
in  the  evening  in  the  California  Avenue  Church. 
Thence  forward  for  two  weeks  nightly  and 
frequently  at  other  times,  he  presented  the 
Gospel. 

As  to  results  mediate  and  immediate,  there 
was  much  to  be  grateful  for.  The  accessions 
to  the  churches  due  essentially  to  the  work  were 
not  large,  but  in  point  of  arousing  the  laborers 
in  the  several  denominations  to  a  sense  of  their 
unity  in  Christ,  and  of  the  necessity  for  more 
consistent,  consecrated,  united  service,  we  were 
richly  benefited.  Since  the  awakening  there 
has   been   better   attendance,   more  abunaant 


112        The  Pittsbtif  g  Revival 


labors,  and  what  is  of  essential  importance,  a 
spirit  such  as  was  never  manifested  in  clergy 
or  laity — a  sense  of  the  oneness  of  the  mission 
and  message  of  tae  ambassador  of  Christ,  with- 
out any  call  for  yielding  the  peculiar  and  sec- 
ondary characteristics  of  the  different  denomi- 
nations. 

WILMERDING. 
BY  REV.  W.  G.  STEWART. 

Beginning  with  a  week  of  union  prayer  meet- 
ings, the  meetings  here  were  continued  for  four 
weeks.  For  two  weeks  they  were  in  charge  of 
Rev.  W.  S.  Miller,  evangelist  of  Edgewood 
Park.  There  was  a  good  attendance  and  good 
interest  was  manifested  throughout  the  wholQ 
time.  The  visible  results  of  these  meetings 
were  not  so  apparent.  Church  unity  was  de- 
veloped, and  a  larger  number  were  received  into 
the  churches  at  the  following  communion  than 
usual.  The  churches  uniting  were  the  Unitec^ 
Presbyterian,  Methodist  Episcopal,  Evangelical 
Lutheran  and  Presbyterian. 

IIERRON  HILL. 

When  the  revival  fires  uegan  to  burn  all 
around  this  central  hill  of  the  city  there  was 
an  awakening  there  also.  After  repeated, 
urgent  reque«!ts,  they  were  granted  a  central 
meeting  and  Rev.  Lester  G.  Leggett,  of  Plain- 
field,  New  Jersey,  was  assigned  to  the  work. 
There  was  a  lack  of  thorough  organization,  and 
it  may  be  a  little  of  the  denominational  spirit 


The  Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  113 


was  not  entirelj^  overcome  by  the  spirit  that 
made  other  meetings  successful. 

An  attempt  was  made  also  to  carry  the  meet- 
ings from  one  church  to  another  which  inter- 
fered with  the  work  of  the  first  week,  but  during 
the  second  week  these  difficulties  vanished  to  a 
large  extent  and  meetings  of  great  power  were 
held. 

A  notable  conversion  was  that  of  a  Jewess. 
The  woman  came  forward  and  knelt  at  the 
mourner's  bench,  and  the  evangelist  requested 
prayer  for  her.  After  a  little  while  she  arose, 
her  face  changed  with  a  new  life  and  con- 
fessed her  faith  in  her  newly  found  Redeemer. 
The  musical  services  were  conducted  by  Pro- 
fessor Jennings. 

CORAOPOLIS. 

After  the  meetings  in  the  Shadj^side  District 
Rev.  F.  E.  Smiley,  D.  held  a  two  weeks  ser- 
vice in  Coraopolis.  Although  fifteen  miles  from 
the  city  the  interest  had  spread,  and  the 
churches  were  heartily  united  in  a  meeting  that 
proved  to  be  a  notable  one  of  the  series. 

As  in  Carnegie,  the  whole  town  was  stirred 
by  the  revival  and  every  church  was  richly 
blessed.  There  was  the  utmost  cordiality 
among  the  churches,  ^ne  merchants  closed 
their  places  of  business  to  attend  the  meetings 
and  it  was  noted  that  an  unusually  large  num- 
ber of  men  confessed  Christ.  At  one  meeting 
Dr.  Smiley  made  an  earnest  appeal,  and  neither 
women  nor  children  responded  but  quite  a  num- 


114       The  Pittsburgh  Revival 


ber  of  men  stood  up  to  declare  their  decision 
to  live  henceforth  for  Christ.  As  an  index  of 
the  good  work  done,  eighty  were  received  into 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  thirty-six  of  whom 
were  heads  of  families,  .^ue  singing  was  con- 
ducted by  Professor  McGranahan. 

The  District  was  well  organized,  the  commit- 
tees being  composed  almost  exclusively  of  lay- 
men. 

MANCHESTEPv. 
BY  REV.  D.  F.  MCGILL,  O.  D. 

T  nion  Evangelistic  iUeetings  in  which  the 
churches  of  Manchester  were  united,  were  con- 
ducted by  Evangelist  Thomas  Needham  for  one 
week  after  the  close  of  the  great  central  meet- 
ings. These  meetings  were  held  in  the  Sixth 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  were  attended 
by  an  audience  that  filled  the  cnurch  to  over- 
flowing each  evening.  The  meetings  were  exceea- 
ingly  profitable  in  every  w^ay.  The  churches 
of  this  part  of  the  city  had  not  been  engaged 
in  any  union  effort  for  some  years,  and  the 
effect  of  this  bringing  together  of  the  various 
denominations  was  very  happy. 

There  were  many  conversions  during  the 
week,  and  the  following  weeks  as  meetings 
were  continued  in  the  various  churches.  On 
Sabbath,  March  6,  the  closing  day,  a  meeting 
for  young  people  was  held  at  3  .p.  m.,  at  which 
one  hundred  and  twenty  cards  were  signed.  In 
the  evening  two  meetings  were  held,  one  for 
men  only  in  the  Sixth  U.  P.  Church,  and  one 


The  Windows  of  Heaven  Opened  115 


for  women  only  in  the  Union  M.  E.  Church, 
the  former  conducted  by  Evangelist  Needham, 
and  the  latter  by  Evangelist  A.  L.  Prewett. 

Saved  ones  were  added  to  each  congregation 
that  had  part  in  the  Union  effort.  We  are  not 
able  to  give  the  number  of  converts  in  all  the 
churches.  Forty-three  were  addod  to  the  Sixth 
U.  P.  Church  on  profession  of  their  faith  in 
Christ.  The  testimony  of  the  pastors  was  that 
there  had  never  been  a  time  when  it  was  so 
easy  to  approach  men  for  conversation  in  refer- 
ence to  their  spiritual  welfare.  The  atmo- 
sphere in  this  community  is  still  one  of  religi- 
ous interest  and  revival.  Church  services  are 
better  attended  and  pastors  are  greatly  en- 
couraged. 


CHAPTER  XI 


SPECIAL  MEETINGS 

During  the  progress  of  the  meetings  many 
special  services  were  conducted  which  added 
great  interest,  and  shows  the  variety  of  the 
work  undertaken.  We  can  only  refer  to  a  few 
of  these. 

THE  MINISTERIAL  UNION. 

BY  REV.  J.  H.  RALSTON 

In  a  certain  sense  the  great  movement  began 
in  the  Ministerial  Union,  and  somewhat  for- 
mally ended  there.  At  the  meeting  on  October 
12th,  it  recived  its  first  impulse,  in  the  address 
of  Rev.  C.  L.  Thurgood,  on  "Melbourne's  Marvel- 
lous Simultaneous  Movement."  The  next  meeting 
of  the  union,  January  11th,  gave  it  another 
impulse  in  the  address  of  Dr.  Calhoun  which 
moved  every  heart  and  struck  the  key  note  for 
the  serious  work  of  the  two  months  which  fol- 
lowed. It  was  a  thoughtful  exhortation  to  the 
great  work  of  saving  souls  of  whom  there  are 
so  many  thousands  all  needing  the  redemption 
of  Jesus.  He  was  followed  by  a  number  of 
ministers  wno  spoke  on  various  topics,  all  hav- 
ing a  tendency  to  deepen  interest,  and  awaken 


Special  Meetings  117 


the  desire  for  a  widespread  blessing.  'jinis 
meeting  was  continued  through  the  whole 
day,  morning  and  afternoon,  and  marks  one 
of  the  most  impressive  days  in  the  religious  his- 
tory of  the  Pittsburg  ministry. 

The  meeting  of  April  11th  was  in  the  form 
of  an  "Echo  Meeting,"  under  the  direction  of 
the  President,  Rev.  John  Weidley,  D.  D.  In 
this  meeting  representatives  of  seven  different 
denominations  spoke  upon  various  topics  sug- 
gested by  the  revival  services  which  were  at 
that  time  coming  to  a  close.  Thus  while  the 
union  had  no  official  connection  with  the  move- 
ment, during  the  entire  time  of  the  evangelistic 
:activity  it  made  the  objects  of  its  own  organiza- 
tion subordinate  to  the  paramount  demands  of 
evangelism.  All  the  denominations  taking  an- 
active  part  in  the  Union  in  its  ordinary  work 
took  a  hearty  part  in  the  simultaneous  move- 
ment. 

THE  GERMAN  CHURCHES. 

Immediately  following  the  meetings  held  by 
Dr.  Walton,  there  was  a  union  meeting  of  two 
weeks  held  by  the  four  German  churches  of  the 
South  Side  that  bad  gone  into  the  movement. 
The  services  were  held  in  the  First  German 
Baptist  Church  on  19th  street,  Rev.  H.  C. 
Gleiss,  pastor.  The  evangelist  was  Rev.  H. 
Von  Berg,  of  Cleveland,  who  spoke  with  earnest- 
ness and  power  in  the  language  of  the  people. 
The  meetings  were  very  helpful,  and  quite  a 
number  of  souls  professed  conversion. 


118       The  Pittsburg  Revival 

DR.  JAMES  M.  GRAY. 

A  special  feature  of  the  meetings  was 
the  series  of  Bible  studies  conducted  by 
Dr.  James  M.  Gray.  These  meetings  were 
held  in  the  Sixth  United  ii'esbyterian  Church 
of  East  Liberty  in  the  morning  for  one  week, 
and  in  the  North  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  Allegheny,  for  two  weeks,  and  for  one 
week  in  the  down  town  district.  As  a  Bible 
expositor  Dr.  Gray  has  no  superior  in  the  land, 
and  his  earnest  addresses  made  a  deep  impres- 
sion. It  is  said  that  in  one  meeting  eighteen 
hundred  women  were  in  attendance.  Speaking 
of  these  meetings  Dr.  R.  M.  Russell  says, 
"There  can  be  no  disastrous  reaction,  as  every- 
thing was  conducted  on  a  sane  and  truly  spirit- 
ual basis.  The  heart  being  reached  through 
the  head,  the  main  object  being  to  have  each 
soul  face  personal  responsibilities  before  God. 
Dr.  Gray's  work  will  be  memorable  in  the  his- 
tory of  this  movement." 

THE  BOOK  OF  BOOKS. 
BY  REV.  GEO.  W.  MONTGOMERY 
Monday,  Feb.  29,  will  not  soon  be  forgotten 
in  religious  circles  in  Allegheny  county.  Pos- 
sibly the  most  notable  event  of  that  day  of 
great  events  was  the  gathering  of  people  in  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  to  hear  the  address 
of  Dr.  L.  W.  Munhall,  on  the  "Book  of  Books." 
The  church  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity 
long  before  the  time  to  begin.    A  remarkable 


Special  Meetings 


119 


thing  about  it  was  the  character  of  the  audi- 
ence, being  fully  three-fourths  men. 

When  the  speaker  got  into  his  "swing"  the 
hearer  forgot  his  note  book,  and  was  swept 
along  in  the  current  of  the  most  powerful 
stream  of  eloquence,  scholarship,  logic  and 
loj-alty  to  the  Word  of  God  unmutilated  that 
ever  swept  over  a  Pittsburg  audience- 

For  an  hour  and  a  half  the  speaker  held  that 
great  audience  under  a  spell.  Truly  our 
"hearts  burred  within  us  as  he  opened  to  us 
the  Scriptures."  One  after  another  the  criti- 
cisms, ancient  and  modern,  that  have  been 
urged  against  the  authenticity  and  the  authority 
of  the  Bible  crumbled  into  ashes  as  the 
mighty  preacher  applied  the  torch  of  Truth. 
As  he  led  us  through  some  of  the  darkest  and 
most  mysterious  passages  of  Scripture  record 
we  could  not  but  feel  as  Jacob  felt  at  Bethel, 
"Surely  God  is  in  this  place." 

If  anyone  was  there  that  day  who  did  not 
believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  very  Word  of  God, 
"the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice" 
he  did  not  have  the  courage  to  assert  his  convic- 
tions. The  writer  sat  where  he  could  see  all 
parts  of  the  house,  and  when,  at  the  close  of 
the  address,  Dr.  Munhall  called  upon  all  who 
believed  the  Bible  to  be  the  Word  of  God  to 
stand  up,  not  one  person  remained  seated.  It 
was  a  great  address;  it  was  a  great  suDject;  it 
was  a  great  privilege  to  be  there ;  it  will  be  a 
great  blessing  to  Pittsburg. 


120       The  Fittsburg  Revival 

THE  COLORED  CHURCHES. 
BY  REV.  M.  B.  LENIER. 
The  Christian  element  among  tlie  colored 
people  took  up  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  and 
waged  war  on  the  forces  of  darkness.  Churches 
individually  and  in  groups  preached  the  gospel 
to  the  masses,  and  many  were  converted.  As 
an  illustration  of  how  work  was  carried  on 
in  groups  :~Four  churches  in  the  Hill  district 
of  Pittsburg  of  different  denominations  united 
for  four  weeks  of  service.  The  pastors  of  the 
above-named  churches  preached  alternately  and 
directed  the  singing.  . .  e  had  a  choir  from  the 
constituency  of  these  four  churches.  A  collec- 
tion was  taken  at  each  service  out  of  which 
books  were  bought  suitable  for  the  occasion. 
The  organist  was  paid  and  incidental  expenses 
were  met.  The  interest  grew  from  the  first 
night  at  which  men  gave  themselves  to  God. 
The  sermons  were  full  of  the  gospel.  Jesus 
was  the  center  of  attraction,  and  as  he  was 
lifted  up  he  drew  men  to  him.  As  a  result  of 
the  effort  we  had  sixty  dollars  after  all  obliga- 
tions were  met,  and  one  hundred  and  forty  souls 
converted  to  Jesus  Christ  united  with  the  differ- 
ent churches,  and  the  people  of  God  were  greatly 
encouraged  and  edified. 

IN  THE  FACTORIES. 
Under  the  auspices  of  the  Y.  W.  C.  A.  meet- 
ings were  held  in  several  factories  where  a  larger 
number  of  girls  are  employed.    These  meetings 
were  held  at  the  noon  hour  in  the  lunch  rooms 


RKV.   FKANCIS  E.  SMILEY,   D.  D. 


MR.  HUGH  MCGRANAHAN 


Special  Meetings  121 


of  the  factories.  It  would  seem  a  difficult  place 
to  maVe  an  irapression,  yet  the  most  encourag- 
ing reports  came  from  many  of  these  meetings. 
In  one  meeting  conducted  by  Rev.  Thomas  Need- 
ham  in  the  Armstrong  Cork  I'actory  where  there 
were  nearly  six  hundred  present,  it  is  said  that 
fully  two  hundred  arose  and  indicated  their 
desire  to  confess  Christ  and  live  for  him.  These 
meetings  are  conducted  regularly  by  the  Y.  W. 
C.  A.  as  a  promising  feature  of  its  work  in  th9 
city. 

THE  BOYS. 

The  following  notice  which  we  reproduce  herj, 
is  one  of  the  interesting  bits  of  advertising 
which  made  it  necessary  to  open  the  Carnegie 
Music  Hall  to  accomodate  the  boys. 

"FIVE  KINGS  IN  A  CAVE." 

*'Theme  of  Dr.  J.  Wilbur  Chapman's  address 
at  his  service  for  boys,  aged  from  10  to  20 
years,  in  Allegheny  M.  P.  Church,  near  Car- 
negie Hall,  Dr.  S.  K.  Spahr,  pastor. 

If  there  are  too  many  for  the  church,  the 
meeting  will  be  held  in  the  Allegheny  Carnegi^ 
Hall.  Hour  of  service,  8.45  Sabbath  afternoon. 
February  28th. 

Pastor,  try  to  send  a  large  delegation  of  boys." 

The  auditorium  was  crowded  to  the  doors 
and  through  the  entire  service  which  con- 
tinued for  fully  two  hours  the  boys  did  not 
lack  attention  or  interest  in  the  remarks  of  the 
speaker.  Dr.  Chapman  did  not  preach.  He 
talked  to  the  boys  in  language  easily  compre- 
hended by  the  youngest  and  created  a  deep  im- 
pression upon  the  assemblage.  At  the  conclu- 
sion of  his  remarks  Dr.  CJiapman  called  upon 


122         The  Pittsburg  Revival 


severa]  ministers  who  had  seats  on  the  platform 
to  address  the  boys  and  tell  them  how  they 
might  become  Christians.  He  then  invited 
them  to  signify  their  desire  to  become  Christ- 
ians by  coming  down  the  aisle  and  taking  him 
by  the  hand.  At  once  more  than  half  the  audi- 
ence was  upon  their  feet  and  attempting  to 
make  way  forward  to  the  speaker.  This  was 
one  of  the  great  meetings  of  that  great  day  in 
the  history  of  the  evangelistic  movement. 

THE  WHITE  LIFE. 
We  reproduce  announcement  of  another 
interesting  meeting  which  was  held.  Every 
man  who  was  present  at  this  meeting^ 
in  the  Alvin  Theatte  when  Mr.  Bied- 
erwolf  spoke  on  "The  White  Life,"  will  be 
glad  to  see  a  facsimile  of  the  card  that  se- 
cured him  admission  to  that  meeting,  and  not 
few  will  thank  God  for  the  work  of  his  Spirit 
upon  their  hearts  while  there. 


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FEBKUAl 

pen  2. 

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Club  \ 

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o 

Y_THIS  Tl 

The  Noted  Evangelist 
WILL  SPEAK  TO  MEN  ONLY 

z 

iz; 

l-H 

O 

(0 

Glee 

  ON  

^^THE  WHITE  LIFE^^ 

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PROF.  HARRY  MAXWELL, 

< 

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o 

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m 

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the  Celebrated  High  Tenor,  will 
sing  "THE  HOLY  CITY.  .' 

0 

a. 

< 

o 

This  address  has  been  delivered  to 

C/3 

o 

<^ 

thousands  of  people  the  world  over. 

o 
q 

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ce 

You  cannot  afford  to  miss  this 

CO 

great  meeting. 

special  Meetings  123 


THE  FOREIGNERS. 

BY  REV.  VACLAV  LOSA 

An  interesting  work  was  done  among  the 
various  Slavonic  people,  under  the  direction  of 
Mr.  Gleiss,  the  secretary.  The  mission  workers 
amon^;  the  Poles,  Bohemians,  Slavs,  the  Croa- 
tians,  Servians  and  Russians  took  part.  They 
were  not  intended  for  the  people  in  general,  but 
for  the  workers  and  it  brought  together  clerical 
and  lay  workers  of  various  denominations  to 
bold  "Workers'  meetings."  These  meetings 
wore  held  twice  a  day  for  a  week,  in  the  Fourth 
Avenue  Baptist  Church  under  the  leadership  ojp 
Rev.  Vaclav  Kraliceck.  They  were  successful 
from  the  start,  and  the  interest  and  enthusiasm 
grew  every  day. 

It  was  expected  that  Mr.  Kraliceck  would 
be  followed  by  Rev.  William  Siller,  of 
Hopkins,  Minnesota,  a  young  man  full  of 
faith,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  but  here 
the  Providence  of  God  changed  our  plans.  Our; 
Brother  Siller  was  called  to  his  heavenly  home 
after  a  short  but  eminently  successful  career. 
Thus  this  work  was  stopped,  but  all  the  work- 
ers returned  to  their  hard  work  with  renewed 
strength  and  hope :  full  of  enthusiasm,  thank- 
ing God  for  the  simultaneous  movement,  and 
the  spiritual  feast  in  which  they  had  partici- 
pated during  their  week  of  meetings.  Ther^ 
were  about  thirty  of  these  foreign  workers 
interested  in  this  movement. 


CHAPTER  XII 


BACK   IN   THE  CHURCHES 

It  was  a  part  of  the  original  plan  to  continue 
the  work  in  churches  after  the  Central  Meet- 
ings had  closed,  and  to  a  large  extent  this  plan 
was  carried  out,  and  had  so  greatly  blessed  the 
people  that  in  a  number  of  cases  Union  services 
were  continued  so  that  the  early  days  of  March 
witnessed  the  extension  and  enlargement  of  the 
work.  There  were  at  that  time  more  meetings 
than  ever,  although  a  number  of  Central  Meet- 
ings were  closed.  However,  wnere  Union 
Meetings  were  held  it  was  generally  in  smaller 
groups  of  churches  and  sometimes  by  churches 
of  the  same  denomination  uniting.  These 
Union  services  were  held  in  Crafton,  Sheraden, 
Avalon,  Soho,  and  the  South  Side  German 
churches.  In  Allegheny  twelve  United  Presbyte- 
rian Churches  united  in  an  Evangelistic  Cam- 
paign to  continue  for  a  week  or  more  to  gather 
in  those  influenced  by  the  great  movement.  The 
services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  T.  C.  McKel- 
vey,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  one  of  the  churches,  but 
knov/n  throughout  the  country  as  an  eflScient 
Evangelist.  A  choir  composed  of  singers  of 
different  churches  furnished  special  music.  A 


Back  in  the  Churches  125 


male  quartette  aJso  rendered  assistance.  Ar- 
rangements were  mide  for  overflow  meetings, 
and  though  only  a  denominational  meeting,  it 
took  on  all  the  proportions  of  the  great  Central 
Meetings. 

But  for  the  most  part  every  individual 
church  continued  the  services  alone.  It  is  im- 
possible to  determine  how  many  churches  were 
holding  services  at  this  time,  but  it  is  safe 
to  venture  that  there  were  hundreds  with  pas- 
tors in  their  pulpits  or  with  neighboring  pas- 
tors assisting  or  in  a  few  cases  Evangelists  aid- 
ing in  the  work.  Those  early  days  in  March 
found  more  people  attentive- to  the  Gospel,  more 
messages  and  more  messengers,  and  it  may  be 
more  of  God's  power  manifested  than  at  any 
other  time  in  the  history  of  the  movement. 
After  the  earnest  eloquence  of  the  experienced 
Evangelists,  we  might  have  expected  a  decline 
in  the  interest,  now  that  the  work  was  to  be 
continued  along  ordinary  lines,  but  we  do  not 
believe  that  this  was  the  case.  The  dependance 
of  God's  people  had  been  upon  the  Spirit  of 
God,  upon  prater,  iud  the  use  of  His  Sacred 
Word,  and  not  upon  the  presence  of  a  few  earn- 
est and  godly  men. 

In  the  opening  le":ter  of  the  campaign  it  was 
said :  *'The  weakness  of  similar  movements  in 
the  past  has  been  partly  in  a  failure  to  con- 
centrate the  strength  of  the  united  movement 
upon  the  local  cnurcb.  We  are  fully  persuaded 
that  it  should  begin  there  and  end  there."  It 
had  begun  by  kindling  the  altar  fires  in  the 


126        The  Pittsburg  Revival 

homes  of  the  people  and  in  little  groups  of 
praying  Christians  in  the  cottage  meetings,  and 
continued  in  the  conferences.  It  had  ex- 
tended to  the  great  meetings  with  all  their 
power,  and  now  it  is  returned  to  the  local 
church  with  reneweo'  energ3^  In  the  meetings 
now  held  in  local  churches  there  is  no  longer 
the  restraint  felt  by  some  in  union  efforts.  In 
the  United  Presbyterian  Churches  the  good  old 
psalms  are  sung  with  new  zeal.  In  the  Meth- 
odist Churches  the  mourner's  bench  is  estab- 
lished, while  "hallelujahs/'  and  "amens"  are 
uttered  by  multitudes  upon  their  knees.  In 
other  places  personal  workers  approach  the  un- 
saved in  the  congregations  during  the  singing 
of  spirited  songs.  While  others  followed  the  gen- 
eral method  of  the  campaign,  in  the  inquiry 
room,  the  decision  card,  or  in  the  earnest  ap- 
peal from  the  pulpit. 

In  some  of  these  meetings,  the  object  was  to 
gather  results  of  meetings  previously  held,  but 
in  a  large  number  of  them  it  was  to  reach  out 
after  those  still  untouched.  An  awakened 
church  cannot  be  satisfied  while  an  unsaved  soul 
is  near.  These  prj^ying  people,  pleading  for 
God's  blessing  and  seeking  His  help  were  deeply 
in  earnest  in  seeking  after  immortal  souls. 
Many  were  "instant  in  season  and  out  of 
season"  to  persuade  others  to  come  to  Christ. 
No  sermon  was  preached  that  was  not  Evan- 
gelistic. Every  pastor  was  an  Evangelist  and 
"Christ  crucified"  ,vas  held  up  before  the  mul- 
titudes as  never  b.^fore.    Sinners  were  called 


Back  in  the  Churches  127 


to  repentance  ;  inquirers  were  pointed  to  Christ ; 
praying  ones  were  encouraged  and  wherever  a 
word  might  be  spoken  to  help  another  it  was 
cheerfully  given.  The  churches  had  taken  on 
new  life.  They  saw  before  them  a  new  mis- 
sion. They  had  prayed  for  showers  of  bless- 
ing and  their  prayers  had  been  answered.  I  be- 
lieve it  is  true  concerning  this  great  awakening 
that  it  was  not  ^^worhed  up*^  or  ^'stirred  wg^ 
but  that  it  was  ^'brought  down**  by  earnest 
prayer  and  wrestling  at  the  Throne  of  Grace. 

If  ever  there  were  happy  pastors  and  cheer- 
ful people  in  the  churches  of  Pittsburg,  it  was 
at  this  time.  The  Lord's  hand  had  been  upon 
His  people,  and  they  had  been  made  to  sing  for 
joy.  The  times  of  discouragement  and  anxiety — 
the  sowing  time — ^had  passed,  the  harvest — the 
reaping  time — had  come,  and  they  went  forth 
to  the  joy  of  the  harvest.  How  many  dis- 
couraged pastors  f'eturned  to  their  Work  in 
these  days  with  new  vigor  and  new  hope,  we  do 
not  know.  But  of  some  we  have  heard  who  were 
discouraged,  and  with  patience  exhausted  were 
planning  to  look  for  new  fields  of  labor.  They 
now  returned  in  this  harvest  time  to  gather  the 
fruits  of  their  toil,  and  to  rejoice  with  the  peo- 
ple that  had  seemed  to  be  tired  of  their  min- 
istry. 

The  same  was  true  on  the  part  of  the 
people.  There  waa  a  deeper  affection 
for  the  Church,  and  its  ordinances,  and 
for   the   pastors,    too.    Some  who    had  been 


128       The  Piltsbufg  Revival 


long  away  from  their  church  home,  neglectful 
of  duty  and  careless  of  their  obligations,  now 
settled  back  into  proper  lines  of  work,  became 
a  blessing  to  others,  and  Diessed  tnemselves. 

The  increased  attendance  of  church  mehibers 
at  the  regular  services  of  the  church  was  a  nota- 
ble feature  of  the  campaign.  Now  that  the 
churches  were  settl'ng  back  to  the  ordinary 
routine  of  church  life,  and  to  ttie  ordinary 
methods  of  Evangelism  it  was  evident  that  new 
interest  had  been  awakened  and  multitudes 
were  filled  with  joyful  zeal  for  the  Master  whose 
cause  they  had  neglected  so  long.  The  Long 
Meter  Doxology  was  too  short  for  a  closing 
song  of  praise  in  many  of  these  services,  and 
often  it  was  sung  over  and  over  again,  express- 
ing the  praise  of  those  who  were  glad  when 
they  were  called  upon  to  "go  into  the  house  of 
the  Lord." 

In  some  churches  the  gathering  of  results  was 
begun  immediately,  and  with  most  gratifying 
effect.  The  East  Liberty  District  was  organized 
quickly  to  secure  the  harvest  of  the  seed  sown 
by  Evangelist  Munhall.  in  some  churches 
special  services  were  continued  with  an  idea 
of  reaching  others,  but  in  the  East  Liberty 
Presbyterian,  and  Sixth  United  Ji'resbyterian 
Churches,  Communion  services  were  held.  It 
was  one  of  the  very  encouraging  things  in  the 
whole  field  that  these  two  large  churches  had 
such  large  additions.  In  speaking  of  the  con- 
dition in  East  Lilierty,  Dr.  Sneed  said  that 


:REV.  AUSTIN  L.  PREWETT 


28 


Back  in  the  Chutches  129 


almost  daily  he  found  new  inquirei's  after  the 
way  of  life,  some  )L  whom  came  to  meet  him 
at  his  study  or  sent  for  him  or  other  workers 
in  the  church  that  they  might  talk  and  pray 
with  them.,  and  help  them  to  find  the  Saviour. 
Throughout  the  East  End  District  the  Spirit 
of  God  was  at  work  in  many  homes.  The  pas- 
tors were  busy  helping  the  penitent  and  church 
oflBicers  were  made  i?lad  in  oeing  called  upon 
frequently  to  receive  new  members  into  their 
churches. 

In  several  churches  of  Wilkinsburg  where 
no  central  meeting  had  been  held,  meetings  were 
conducted  with  encouraging  results  In  Home- 
stead, where  no  central  meeting  had  been  held, 
churches  were  opened  and  services  which  from 
the  first  showed  deep  interest,  were  conducted, 
Evangelist  E.  F.  Walker  went  to  Finleyville, 
just  across  the  line  in  Washington  county, 
where  a  number  of  churches  of  various  denomi- 
nations were  united,  and  preached  during  two 
weeks,  though  the  churches  were  in  country 
places  and  weather  conditions  were  not  at  all 
agreeable,  Mr.  Walker,  besides  holding  nightly 
services  in  Finleyville,  visited  consecutively 
three  or  four  country  churches  in  the  mornings 
and  afternoons  until  the  whole  community  was 
alive  with  Gospel  nre.  Most  of  these  churches 
are  in  Allegheny  county,  and,  of  course,  were 
effected  by  the  general  movement. 

Although  the  interest  now  centered  in  local 
churches,  we  never  heard  any  intimation  of 
rivalry  among  neighbors  in  gathering  results. 
5 


130        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


The  utmost  good  feeling  prevailed.  All  were 
willing  to  see  sister  churches  grow,  and 
were  only  anxious  to  take  care  ot  those  who 
might  turn  their  faces  toward  their  own  par- 
ticular church.  1  believe  that  one  or  the  very 
greatest  and  best  effects  of  this  anion  move- 
ment was  in  what  was  accomplished  in  break- 
ing down  denominational  prejudice  and  church 
rivalry.  It  is  now  a  thing  of  the  past  wherever 
this  revival  took  root. 

A  spirit  of  co-operation  and  cordial  fellowship 
prevailed,  that  is  truly  Christ-like.  As  against 
this  feeling  which  I  have  observed  as  widespread 
in  the  movement,  I  may  mention  this  incident. 
A  minister  in  one  district  who,  because  of  an  un- 
friendly feeling  toward  another,  did  not  unite  in 
the  services,  expressed  himself  near  the  end  of  the 
campaign  as  having  had  no  visible  encourage- 
ment or  help  from  the  meetings,  and  further 
spoke  most  discouragingly  of  the  condition  of 
his  church,  implying  in  his  remarks  that  it 
might  be  necessary  for  him  to  find  another  field 
of  labor.  I  believe  that  if  this  brother  had 
entered  heartily  into  the  general  movement  his 
own  soul  would  have  been  richly  blessed,  and 
his  usefulness  in  the  community  prolonged. 

During  the  central  meetings  local  church  or- 
ganizations were  lost  sight  of,  but  now  that 
pastors  were  dealing  with  people  of  their  own 
fields  the  local  church  organization  became  a 
power  in  the  work.  The  Sabbath  Schools  and 
Christian  Endeavor  Societies,  the  Epworth 
Leagues,  and  Baptist  Young  Peoples  Unions, 


Back  in  the  Churches  131 


and  other  denominational  organizations  made 
their  influence  felt.  Especially  was  this  true  in 
the  Sabbath  Schools.  It  was  a  part  of  the 
original  idea  to  have  decision  days  in  the 
Sabbath  School.  It  had  come  now  to  the  time 
when  this  could  be  undertaken,  and  it  was  done 
with  wonderful  effect.  Whole  classes  of  the 
youth  of  the  churches  stood  for  Christ  or  signed 
decision  tards.  In  Christ  M.  E.  Church,  Shady- 
side,  a  special  decision  day  service  was  con- 
ducted by  the  efficient  Superintendent  of  the 
Sabbath  School.  In  Concord  Presbyterian 
Church  more  than  fifty  young  people  stood  for 
Christ  or  signed  decision  cards,  and  nearly  half 
of  them  have  since  confessed  their  faith  in 
Christ.  The  South  Side  Presbyterian  Church 
realized  a  similar  awakening  with  probably 
fifty  from  the  Sabbath  School  turning  to 
Christ. 

The  wise  pastor  was  now  in  great  demand.  He 
knew  the  hearts  and  needs  of  many,  and  it 
was  easy  to  approach  them.  The  Young  Peo- 
peo's  Societies  were  at  work,  and  many  other 
young  people  were  led  by  loving  hands  to  a 
place  among  God's  people.  In  one  church  a 
little  girl  impressed  by  the  message  of  Divine 
grace,  brought  her  mother,  and  she  gave  her 
heart  to  Christ.  In  another  a  mother  told  how 
she  had  been  brought  to  the  church  by  her  son 
who  was  a  member  of  the  Sabbath  School  and 
of  the  Young  People's  Society.  It  would  be 
impossible  to  enumerate  the  cases  where  the 
prophet's  promise  was  fulfilled,  *'a  little  child 


132        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


shall  lead  them."  Tiae  machinery  of  local 
churches  was  immediately  set  to  work  to  shelter 
and  encourage  the  new  converts.  Lookout  com- 
mittees and  social  committees  were  on  the  alert 
and  each  one  filled  with  the  Master's  love  be- 
came the  swift  messenger  to  help  another.  New 
faces  were  seen  in  all  the  churches.  The  con- 
gregations were  larger  now,  the  interest  deeper, 
and  everything  indicated  that  churches  had 
taken  on  new  life  because  of  the  recent  awak- 
ening. 

Whatever  may  be  said  of  union  movements — 
and  we  certainly  may  speak  in  greatest  praise 
of  the  Union  Movement  of  Pittsburg — it  must 
be  said  here  that  the  enduring  work,  the  work 
that  tells  in  building  up  Christian  character, 
in  sheltering  the  weak,  in  feeding  the  lambs  of 
the  flock,  and  in  lengthening  the  cords  of  Zion 
and  strenegthening  her  stakes,"  must  be  in  the 
individual  church  organization.  In  other  words 
a  union  effort  which  does  not  have  a  denomina- 
tional organization  back  of  it  must  fail.  So 
as  in  the  beginning  of  this  great  work,  the  in- 
dividual church  was  enlisted ;  In  the  end  the 
individual  church  was  the  center  of  its  power. 
Surely  every  heart  would  join  in  singing: 

I  love  Thy  church,  O  God, 
Her  walls  before  Thee  stand; 

Dear  as  the  apple  of  Thine  eye, 
And  graven  on  Thy  hand. 


Back  in  the  Churches 

For  her  my  tears  shall  fall, 
For  her  my  prayers  ascend; 

To  her  my  cares  and  toils  be  given, 
Till  toils  and  cares  shall  end. 

Sure  as  Thy  truth  shall  last, 
To  Zion  shall  be  given, 
The  brightest  glories  earth  can  yield,  . 
And  brighter  bliss  of  Heaven. 


CHAPTER  XIII 


THE  FEAST  OF  THE  INGATHERING 

What  are  the  results?  Did  it  pay?  Have  the 
churches  of  Allegheny  county  realized  a  suita- 
ble return  for  the  expenditure  of  time  and 
money?  We  ourselves  ought  to  ask  these  ques- 
tions. Business  men  will  look  at  this  from  a 
business  standpoint.  The  critic  and  the  doubt- 
er who  stood  aloof  while  the  work  went  on 
will  now  disparage  the  whole  movement,  if  he 
can  minimize  the  immediate  results.  The  only 
thing  that  will  satisfy  some  is  a  column  of  fig- 
ures. They  demand  to  see  the  church  rolls 
where  the  ink  is  new,  and  would,  if  possible, 
trace  to  other  sources  the  recent  ingathering. 

Of  course,  we  have  to  meet  all  this,  but  I  do 
not  believe  we  can  or  should  attempt  to  present 
in  a  statistical  column  the  results  of  the  meet- 
ings. There  are  some  things  that  cannot  be  re- 
duced to  an  arithmetical  problem.  There  are 
influences  that  cannot  be  estimated  in  dollars. 
There  is  a  power  for  which  we  have  no  stand- 
ard of  measurement.  He  who  came  unto  the 
world  to  save  sinners  said,  "What  shall  a  man 
give  in  exchange  for  his  life?"  If  one  immortal 
life  was  saved,  it  was  time  and  money  well 
spent. 


The  Feast  of  the  Ingathenngf  135 


We  would  reduce  the  cost  of  saving  souls 
if  we  could.  Yet  we  dare  not  place  the 
$17,000.00  spent  in  this  movement  in  the  bal- 
ances against  one  immortal  soul,  and  if  by 
reason  of  the  earnest  efforts  made,  and  in  an- 
swer to  the  prayers  of  many  Christians,  there 
be  some  who  rejoice  in  the  new  life  in  Christ, 
then  who  dares  to  criticise  or  say  it  was  not 
worth  the  while.  But  it  was  a  "feast  of  in- 
gathering," a  great  and  goodly  harvest.  Not 
one  or  two,  but  many  immortal  souls  are  sing- 
ing a  new  song  of  praise,  while  their  feet  stand 
upon  the  Rock. 

It  is  to  be  expected  that  under  the  impression 
of  a  great  meeting,  and  the  persuasive  power 
of  an  earnest  evangelist,  many  will  respond  by 
the  up-lifted  hand  or  by  signing  the  inquirer^s 
card  who  will  not  unite  with  a  church.  The 
first  figures  will  therefore  naturally  be  larger 
than  those  shown  later  on  the  church  rolls. 

All  through  the  month  of  March,  and  on  into 
April  the  feast  of  ingathering  continued.  Fas- 
tors  had  something  to  work  upon,  and  were 
busy.  The  inquirer's  cards  that  bore  the  signa- 
tures of  those  who  confessed  Christ  during  the 
February  meetings  were  now  in  their  hands. 
It  was  known  that  thousands  were  interested, 
and  pastors  were  ready  to  offer  help.  It  was 
reliably  reported  that  on  February  twenty-first, 
twenty-three  hundred  had  confessed  Christ,  and 
that  in  the  three  weeks  5,000  had  given  some 
indication  of  an  interest  in  Christ  as  their 
personal  Saviour,  and  it  is  estimated  that  at 


136       The  Pittsburg  Revival 

least  10,000  persons  raised  their  hands  or  gave 
some  sign  of  interest  in  their  eternal  welfare. 

Word  came  from  almost  every  meeting,  not 
only  of  the  conversion  of  many,  but  of  prefess- 
ing  Christians  who  had  resolved  to  put  away  a 
worldly  life,  and  live  henceforth  for  the  glory 
of  God,  and  the  salvation  of  precious  souls  for 
whom  Christ  died.  This  was  the  grand  oppor- 
tunity opened  before  the  church  and  gladly 
they  began  the  feast  of  ingathering. 

March  28th  gives  the  first  figures  obtainable 
of  the  accessions  to  churches.  The  Pittsburg 
Times  of  the  next  day  under  the  title  "Rich 
Harvest  Gathered  by  the  Church,"  gives  the  fol- 
lowing statistical  table  which  may  be  counted 
as  the  first  fruits  of  the  great  ingathering: 

By 

Members  Profession 


Admitted. 

of  Faith 

.  ii:^ 

91 

Sixth  U.  P.,  East  End  

.  9V 

67 

East  Liberty  Presbyterian . . . 

.  84 

63 

Grace  Reformed,  Pittsbucg. 

41 

23 

39 

29 

North  Presbyterian,  Ally . . . 

25 

:i 

Union  Baptist,  South  Side. 

3 

3 

Seventh  U.  P.,  Pittsburg. . . 

25 

18 

6 

6 

439 

317 

It  will  be  observed  that  this  list  is  not  made 
up  of  a  few  churches,  all  of  which  had  large 
accessions.  No  doubt  if  the  statistics 
of  that  day  had  all  been  gathered  it  would 
have  indicated  1,000  accessions.    The  next  Sab- 


REV.  THOS.  J.  LEAK,  D  D. 


MR.  WM.  C.  LILLEY 


The  Feast  of  the  Ingathenng  137 


bath  was  fully  as  large.  I  believe  it  was 
larger,  and  probably  every  Sabbath  of  April 
would  show  ingatherings  equally  encouraging. 

These  ingatherings  were  attended  by  many 
interesting  incidents.  In  one  church  an  old 
man  with  his  daughter  and  granddaughter  stood 
together.  Three  generations  confessing  Christ. 
This  old  man  had  previously  signed  a  decision 
card,  and  when  asked  by  the  evangelist  "When 
did  you  give  your  heart  to  Christ?"  replied, 
"Here, '  to-night." 

A  man  of  forty-five  came  to  confess 
Christ,  and  told  of  an  early  love  for  the 
Master,  and  then  said :  "For  twenty  years  I 
have  been  fighting  against  this  thing  but  it  is 
settled  now."  In  another  church  where  about 
eighty  were  received,  there  were  many  men. 
The  evangelist  who  conducted  the  service  in 
that  place  said  that  one  evening  when  he 
made  his  appeal,  he  looked  over  the  church,  and 
not  a  woman  or  child  was  standing,  but  all 
over  the  room  were  men  of  various  ages  standing 
up  to  declare  their  decision  for  Christ. 

In  the  Sixth  United  Presbyterian  Church 
an  interesting  feature  was  the  large  num- 
ber of  men  among  the  sixty-seven  who  joined  on 
confession  of  their  faith.  In  Grace  Reformed 
Church  among  those  received  was  a  man  fifty- 
nine  years  of  age- 

In  the  East  Liberty  Presbyterian  Church 
thirty-eight  men  were  among  those  re- 
ceived on  March  28th.  In  the  English 
Lutheran  Church  in  Lawrenceville  seventy 
5^ 


138        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


were  confirmed  at  the  Easter  Communion. 
Twenty-one  of  these  from  the  class  of  Cate- 
chumens had  been  carefully  instructed  by  the 
pastor,  while  the  remaining  forty-nine  were 
the  result  of  the  Evangelistic  campaign  carried 
on  so  successfully  there  by  Dr.  Robertson. 

In  the  Southside  Presbyterian  Church,  after 
nine  years  of  toil  and  discouragement,  Rev.  S. 
A.  Hunter,  LL.  D.,  had  resigned  his  charge,  feel- 
ing that  his  work  was  done.  His  ministry  was 
to  close  early  in  April.  The  first  Sabbath  of 
April  was  their  communion  day,  when  eighty- 
four  members  were  received  into  the  church. 
Though  left  vacant  the  church  has  taken  on 
new  life  and  the  pastor  who  just  resigned  has 
seen  the  gracious  fruitage  of  his  toilsome  sow- 
ing. 

In  another  church  a  young  husband  con- 
fessed Christ,  and  an  opportunity  being  given 
for  testimony,  his  earnest  Christian  wife  arose 
with  face  all  aglow  and  said,  "This  is  one 
of  the  happiest  days  of  my  life ;  my  prayers 
have  been  answered."  A  whole  volume  the 
size  of  this  would  not  contain  the  record  of 
similar  incidents.  Almost  every  pastor  would 
report  such  features  of  the  service. 

Another  fruitful  source  of  strength  to  the 
churches  was  the  reclaiming  of  those  who  had 
long  been  indifferent.  Indeed,  it  may  be  said 
that  many  professing  Christians  were  converted 
in  these  meetings.  This  was  mentioned  by 
more  than  one  of  the  pastors.  It  was  the 
experience  of  many  that  previous  to  this  move- 


The  Feast  of  the  Ingathering  139' 


ment  it  required  a  "merabership  of  400  to  make 
a  congregation  of  100."  But  now  pews  that 
had  been  long  vacant  were  regularly  filled,  and 
not  a  few  who  had  grown  utterly  worldly  were 
known  to  cry  out  as  sinners  in  finding  their 
way  back  to  God. 

The  churches  have  received  a  new  im- 
pulse. They  will  not  soon  return  to 
the  spiritual  condition  of  two  years  ago.  There 
has  been  a  great  ingathering  from  the  world. 
There  has  been  a  quickening  of  spiritual  life. 
There  has  been  a  deepening  of  Christian  ex- 
perience. There  has  been  a  return  to  the  study 
of  God's  word.  Harvest  is  not  yet  passed 
and  summer  is  not  yet  ended.  The  sickle  is 
still  in  the  hand  of  the  reaper,  the  joy  of  reap- 
ing time  is  still  w^ith  his  people,  and  we  shall 
yet  praise  Him  who  has  been  our  help.  "The 
Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us  whereof 
we  are  glad."  "He  that  goeth  forth,  and 
weepeth,  bearing  precious  seed,  shall  doubtless 
come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves 
with  him."  \ 


CHAPTER  XIV 


A  CLOUD  OF  WITNESSES 

*'0  taste  and  see  that  the  Lord  is  good !" 
The  real  value  of  a  thing  is  known  by  those 
who  have  tried  it.  Surely  these  are  the  best 
witnesses  and  their  testimony  should  be  re- 
ceived. They  are  not  adventurers;  they  are 
not  sensationalists.  They  are  men  who  know 
their  own  hearts  and  are  not  carried  away  by 
superficial  experiences.  These  men  of  God  give 
the  best  proof  of  the  genuineness  and  power 
of  this  movement. 

On  Monday,  March  14th,  there  was  a  meeting 
of  the  Central  Evangelistic  Committee  at  which 
Dr.  Calhoun  presided,  and,  in  the  course  of  the 
exercise  he  called  upon  those  present  to  give  a 
word  of  testimony  concerning  the  meetings  that 
were  then  closing.  We  can  only  give  here  a  few 
of  the  many  expressions  that  were  made. 

Rev.  H.  C.  Gleiss  said:  "A  young 
man  of  our  church,  a  traveling  salesman,  says 
that  a  great  change  has  come  in  the 
conversation  of  traveling  men.  Within 
the  last  month  he  says  as  far  out  as 
Johnstown,  where  he  goes,  these  men  speak 
of  the  wonderful  effects  of  the  meetings.  The 


A  Cloud  of  Witnesses  141 


very  atmosphere  has  been  changed  and  trans- 
formed." 

Rev.  Eli  Miller  said:  "The  results  of  the 
meetings  have  been  to  me  personally  beneficial. 
As  to  my  congregation  I  am  satisfied.  Bless- 
ings have  come  to  us  and  our  spiritual  life 
has  been  quickened." 

Rev.  Dr.  S.  K.  Spahr  said:  *'I  have  been  in 
movements  in  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis,  but 
never  in  one  so  well  planned  and  carried  for- 
ward, and  with  such  blessed  results  as  the 
movement  here.  I  am  very  happy  that  I  had  a 
small  share  in  this  great  work." 

Rev.  C.  L.  Thurgood  said :  * 'Coming  from 
Melbourne,  where  all  the  Methodists  are 
united  and  where  all  the  Presbyterians  are 
united,  and  where  Methodists  and  Presbyterians 
are  looking  for  union  with  each  other,  it  seems 
to  me  that  this  union  movement  here  is  a 
prophecy  of  the  day  when  all  lovers  of  the 
Lord  will  unite  to  save  the  world.  The  Roman 
Catholics  have  said  to  us,  *You  are  divided.' 
When  the  day  comes  when  all  shall  be  of  one 
faith,  one  Lord,  one  Baptism,  and  one  God  and 
Father  of  all,  it  will  not  be  long  until  the  world 
is  taken  for  Christ." 

Rev.  George  W.  Taft  said:  "I  have  been 
back  from  Japan  for  seven  years.  For  five  and 
a  half  years  I  have  gone  over  this  country 
working  for  the  missionary  cause,  and  never  in 
all  that  time  were  people  so  ready  and  willing 
to  approach  others  on  the  concerns  of  God. 
People  are  ready  to  hear  of    Jesus  Christ. 


142        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


Everywhere  they  want  that  one  question.  Such 
a  time  has  not  been  before." 

Rev.  Dr.  J.  IT.  Pugh,  D.  D.,  said :  "There  has 
not  been  anything  so  beautiful  as  this,  and  so 
far-reaching.  Not  only  have  we  felt  it,  but  our 
churches  have  felt  it,  and  the  community  has 
felt  it.  1  really  think  the  work  has  just 
begun." 

Dr.  L.  E.  Eaton  said.  "It  is  a  great  thing 
to  gather  five  or  six  thousand  souls.  It  is 
also  a  great  thing  to  have  such  a  splendid  or- 
ganization, and  likely  to  be  extended  to  other 
places." 

Rev.  Dr.  W.  G.  Partridge,  in  a  letter  dated 
March  11th,  writes,  concerning  the  Downtown 
meetings :  "I  saw  nothing  to  criticise  in  these 
meetings,  but  everything  to  thank  God  for. 
The  preaching  of  Rev.  W.  E.  Biederwolf  was 
wise,  tender,  forceful  and  convincing.  The 
meetings  were  remarkable,  and  over  700  ac- 
cepted Christ  as  their  personal  Saviour.  In 
this  union  movement  there  was  remarkable 
Christian  fellowship  and  love.  It  is  an  object 
lesson  to  the  world  to  see  400  churches  of  fif- 
teen denominations  working  together  in  har- 
many  and  with  true  Christly  zeal  for  the  re- 
demption of  a  city.  I  believe  that  this  move- 
ment will  draw  the  denominations  together  in 
a  true  spirit  of  co-operation  to  a  greater  degree 
than  anything  that  has  happened  in  Pittsburg 
in  its  history.  I  believe  that  Allegheny  County 
to-day  presents  one  of  the  ripest  fields  for 
Evangelism  in  the  world.    We  have  now  taken 


A  Cloud  of  Witnesses  143 


a  mighty  forward  movement  that  should  result 
in  bringing  tens  of  thousands  to  loving  obedi- 
ence to  the  reigning  and  conquering  Christ." 

Dr.  F.  W.  Sneed  said:  *'This  is  the  most 
successful  revival  meeting,  both  in  extent  and 
fruitage,  I  have  known  to  be  held  in  a  large 
city.  Just  when  a  large  portion  of  the  church 
was  surrendering  to  the  popular  cry  that  a  re- 
vival was  no  longer  possible,  in  our  cities  this 
movement  seems  sent  of  God  to  rescue  the  faith 
of  many.  The  campaign  must  be  kept  up.  1 
have  no  general  plan,  but  for  the  present  I 
think  meetings  in  the  individual  churches  will 
bring  best  results.  Keep  the  people  working 
and  praying.    That  is  a  revival." 

Rev.  I.  A.  Barnes  said :  "It  seems  to  me 
to  be  worth  a  whole  lifetime  to  have  partici- 
pated in  this  movement.  Homes  have  been 
made  over,  hearts  have  been  opened  to  receive 
the  mssage  of  God." 

Mr.  Wm.  O.  Lilley,  w^ho  was  Chairman  of 
the  Finance  Committee  and  its  Treasurer,  in  a 
public  address  summed  up  the  results  as  fol- 
lows : 

"The  results?  What  are  they?  Well,  first 
of  all  I  believe  tlie  strength  of  the  movement 
found  its  best  expression  in  the  quickening  of 
the  churches'  life.  It  is  a  perfectly  safe  thing 
to  say  that  never  in  our  history  has  the  church 
been  so  stirred. 

"Second.  The  development  of  the  spirit  of 
unity.  The  spectacle  of  17  denominations  and 
fully  500  ministers  united  and  co-operating,  is 


144       The  Pittsburg  Revival 


one  of  the  marvels  of  our  time  and  cannot  but 
tell  in  days  to  come  on  the  life  of  the  church. 

"Third.  We  have  demonstrated  that  the  peo- 
ple will  go  to  church,  and  that,  too,  in  a  down- 
town district." 

"Fourth.  We  have  anew  proven  the  value  of 
personal  work ;  it  was  an  element  of  great 
power  in  our  meetings. 

"Fifth.  More  than  5,000  souls  have  said 
by  an  open  confession,  by  actual  connections 
with  the  Church  of  Christ,  'As  for  me,  I  will 
serve  the  Lord.' 

"Sixth.  We  have  proven  conclusively  that 
when  Christian  people  are  in  earnest,  and  mean 
business.  Christian  men  and  non-Christian  men 
alike  are  ready  to  furnish  the  means  to  carrj^ 
it  on. 

The  Church  Economist  for  April,  in  giving 
an  extended  account  of  the  movement,  says : 

"We  shall  not  be  misunderstood  as  making 
money  ratios  of  first  importance  when  we  say 
that  5,000  accessions  at  an  aggregate  cost  of 
$15,000,  or  $3  per  new  member,  is  a  good  in- 
vestment, in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  average 
contribution  to  church  expenses  per  member  is 
$12  a  year. 

"A  movement  of  this  sort  may  always  ex- 
pect criticism  and  lack  of  sympathy  on  the  part 
of  some  who  have  at  heart  the  object  it  seeks. 
The  very  magnitude  of  the  Pittsburg  campaign 
stopped  the  mouths  of  most  critics. 

"Upon  the  whole,  the  Pittsburg  Revival  of 
1904  was  conspicuous  for  wide  scope  of  intei* 


A  Cloud  of  Witnesses  145 


denominational  union,  for  deliberate  and  exact 
organization,  for  thorough  management  on 
both  the  spiritual  and  material  sides,  for  large 
results  and  far-reaching  and  important  conse- 
quences. Already  we  hear  of  similar  movements 
proposed  in  two  leading  cities,  to  be  based  on 
the  same  lines,  and  organized,  to  some  extent, 
by  men  identified  with  the  Pittsburg  plan. 
Thus,  in  spite  of  IngersolPs  famous  mot,  health 
is  catching  no  less  than  disease." 

Probably  the  best  summary  of  the  movement 
that  has  yet  been  presented  appeared  recently 
in  the  Watchman.  It  was  written  b^ 
Rev.  G.  W.  Taft,  who  was  a  member  of  the 
Central  Committee.  We  are  glad  to  give  a 
portion  of  this  summary  here.  It  will  be  ob- 
served that  he  writes  from  the  standpoint  of 
a  Baptist : 

"Psalm  singing  United  Presbyterians,  im- 
mersion emphasizing  Disciples,  liberal  Congrega- 
tionalists,  conservative  Reformed,  dignified 
Presbyterians,  emotional  Methodists,  German 
Lutherans,  Scotch  Covenanters ;  these  were  the 
co-workers  of  the  stalwart  Baptists.  While 
the  larger  number  of  meetings  were  for 
English  speaking  people,  still  Germans,  Welsh, 
Slavs,  Poles  and  other  foreigners  heard  the 
gospel  preached  in  the  tongue  wherein  they  were 
born.  The  work  has  all  been  'of  one  accord, 
of  one  mind." 

"The  old  gospel  has  been  preached  with 
power.    It  has  been  Bible  preaching,  that  men 


146       The  Pittsburg  Revival 


are  sinners,  without  hope  and  lost.  Jesus 
Christ  is  the  world's  only  hope.  His  blood 
only  cleanses  from  sin.  Jesus  Christ,  Son  of 
God,  crucified,  risen,  ascended,  glorified,  living, 
is  still  the  theme  of  themes.  The  gospel 
trumpet  in  Pittsburg  gave  forth  no  uncertain 
sound.  The  old  gospel  is  still  the  greatest 
sound. 

"In  most  of  the  meetings  there  was  little 
if  any  physical  excitement.  Men  were  brought 
face  to  face  with  God.  Conscience  and  reason 
were  appealed  to  rather  than  emotion,  and 
quietly  and  decidedly  men  were  asked  to  yield 
to  the  Spirit's  pleading.  Tears  came  some- 
times to  the  eyes  of  sinners  because  of  their 
sins,  to  Christians  because  of  their  shortcom- 
ings, but  weeping  was  rare. 

"There  were  occasional  peeps  from  the  anti- 
revival  critic.  Occasionally  he  would  break 
forth  in  a  sermon  and  warn  his  brethren  of 
the  ephemeral  nature  of  converts  who  confess 
during  a  revival  movement.  But  the  general 
impression  of  those  who  did  not  take  part  in 
the  movement  was  well  expressed  by  a  promi- 
nent Episcopal  rector  who  said,  'The  movement 
is  too  large  for  criticism.' 

"As  to  conversions,  this  is  the  hardest  ques- 
tion of  all  to  answer  and  the  most  important  in 
one  way.  Numerically  there  are  at  present 
more  than  six  thousand  who,  upon  confession 
of  their  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  as  their  personal 
Saviour,  will  unite  with  the  churches  which 


A  Cloud  of  Witnesses  147 


have  taken  part  in  this  movement.  The  end 
is  not  yet.  In  many  churches  the  work  has 
just  begun.  God's  census  alone  will  have  the 
complete  record.  The  movement  v^as  born  of 
Him.  He  has  guided  and  sustained  it.  He  is 
continuing  with  it.    To  Him  be  all  the  glory." 


CHAPTER  XV 


THE  MOVEMENT  MOVES  ON 

There  is  such  a  thing  as  momentum — spir- 
itual momentum.  When  the  course  is  down- 
ward it  is  terrific;  when  upward  it  does  not 
immediately  spend  its  force.  The  Prophet 
said,  "The  mountain  of  the  Lord's  House  should 
be  established  on  the  tops  of  the  mountains, 
and  all  nations  should  flow  unto  it."  God  re- 
verses the  order  of  nature  in  grace,  and  gives 
to  His  church  an  upivard  momentum.  It  could 
not  be  that  a  formal  announcement  would  close 
the  campaign.  The  churches  might  close,  and 
the  evangelists  depart,  but  the  work  would  go 
right  on.  We  do  not  know  how  many  forms^ 
it  took,  but  it  seemed  as  if  every  moral  force 
had  received  a  new  impulse. 

Never  did  the  liquor  trafiic  receive  such 
a  stunning  blow  in  this  county  as  in 
the  April  license  court.  God  had  moved 
His  people  to  remonstrate,  a  united  or- 
ganization made  this  work  easier.  Then  He 
whispered  a  new  thought  into  the  ear  of  the 
Judges  on  the  bench,  and  with  a  cour9,ge  that 
was  indeed  heroic,  they  administered  the  law 
without  partiality.    By  their  action  the  vio- 


The  Movement  Moves  On  149 


lators  of  law  were  punished.  Some  flagrant 
violators  were  refused  license  entirely.  Others 
paid  the  penalty  by  the  closing  of  their  places 
of  business  for  periods  ranging  from  ten  to 
sixty  days.  Notable  among  these  was  the  clos- 
ing for  fifteen  days  of  all  the  licensed  places 
of  the  Pittsburg  Brewing  Company  as  a  penalty 
for  alleged  violation  in  the  past  year.  New 
applicants  for  license  were  nearly  all  refused, 
and  quite  a  number  withdrew  their  applications 
without  a  hearing.  True  it  is  that  ttie  "Wicked 
flee  when  no  man  pursue  th,  but  he  will  run 
faster  when  somebody  is  after  him."  Never 
were  Christian  people  so  bold  in  remonstrating 
against  the  saloon,  and  never  with  such  good 
results.    Praise  the  Lord  for  this. 

The  traction  parks  that  for  two  years  had 
been  a  menace  to  the  Sabbath,  and  unbearable 
nuisance  in  the  communities  where  they  were 
located  begin  to  feel  the  pressure  of  an  op- 
posing moral  force.  The  ministerial  associa- 
tions have  recently  taken  action  having  in  view 
a  united  effort  to  suppress  the  evils  connected 
with  these  Sabbath  resorts.  It  is  too  soon  yet 
to  presdict  the  result,  but  we  have  every  rea- 
son to  believe  that  God's  people  will,  under  His 
guidance,  win  a  glorious  victory  here  also.  Not 
that  we  expect  to  suppress  all  forms  of  vice, 
or  to  protect  the  whole  comunity  from  tempta- 
tion and  sin,  but  that  we  do  expect  that  earnest 
prayerful  efforts  of  God's  people  will  be  the 
means  of  establishing  righteousness  and  break- 
ing down  sin's  oppressing  hand. 


150        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


Union  was  in  the  air,  and  on  March  14th 
the  General  Committee  adopted  the  following: 

"In  view  of  the  blessing  of  God  upon  the 
Simultaneous  Movement  in  Allegheny  County, 
of  the  unity  of  spirit  on  the  part  of  the 
brethren  and  churches  participating,  of  the 
quickening  of  believers  and  the  salvation  of 
thousands,  the  General  Committee^  representing 
fifteen  denominations  and  500  or  more  churches, 
respectfully  requests  the  various  Ministerial 
Associations  for  authority  to  at  once  organize 
for  a  summer  Evangelistic  Campaign,  for  tent, 
open  air  and  street  preaching,  and  bringing  the 
gospel  of  salvation  to  the  attention  of  the 
unsaved  multitudes  in  our  midst." 

This  was  immediately  transmitted  to  the  Min- 
isterial Associations,  and  after  due  considera- 
tion approved  by  the  Presbyterian,  United  Pres- 
byterian, Christian,  Cumberland  Presbyterian, 
Baptist,  Methodist  Episcopal,  Reformed,  Meth- 
odist Protestant,  Church  of  God,  and  possibly 
one  or  two  others.  Thus  these  denominations 
are  again  united  in  a  great  work,  and  are  just 
formulating  a  plan  for  summer  work,  which, 
we  trust,  will  be  an  effective  way  of  follow- 
ing up  the  campaign  of  the  winter. 

These  are  the  local  activities  that  have  re- 
ceived impulse  from  the  union  movement,  but 
it  has  extended  beyond  our  own  bounds.  Two 
great  cities  have  already  organized  along  similar 
lines,  and  many  others  are  seeking  light  upon 
the  "Pittsburg  plan." 

"Pittsburg  has  lighted  a  candle  and  put  it 
on  a  candlestick."  One  of  the  best  ways  to 
promote  a  revival  is  to  tell  about  another  re- 
vival. 


CHAPTER  XVI 


[figures  and  facts 

About  350  churches  took  part  in  the  Evan- 
gelistic Movement.  Of  the  forty-two  districts 
into  which  the  county  was  divided  there  were 
only  eight  in  which  no  church  took  part-  Seven- 
teen evangelists  were  employed  and  eight  others 
assisted  in  the  work.  There  were  nineteen 
central  meetings  held,  and  ten  other  union 
meetings  which  were  indirectly  connected  with 
the  movement.  It  may  be  that  the  lists  we 
give  herewith  are  not  correct  in  every  partic- 
ular. It  would  be  difficult  to  make  them  so. 
We  append  them  here  believing  they  will 
be  of  interest  to  many  readers  of  this  history. 
We  also  give  the  names  of  evangelists  and 
other  items  of  interest. 

DISTRICT  No.  1— DOWNTOWN' 

Seventeen  Churches 

Fourth  Avenue  Baptist. 

Welsh  Church. 

First  Welsh  Congregational. 

Zion  Evangelical  Association. 

Smithfield  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Second  Presbyterian. 

First  Presbyterian. 

Eighth  Street  Reformed  Presbyterian. 
Third  United  Presbyterian. 


152        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


DISTRICT  No.  2— HILL  AND  SOKO. 

Seventeen  Churches 

Fifth  Avenue  Baptist. 

Central  Christian. 

St.  John's  Lutheran. 

Fifth  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Second  Methodist  Protestant. 

Central  Chapel  Presbyterian. 

Eighth  United  Presbj^terian. 

Bethel  African  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Warren  African  Methodist  Episcopal. 
John  Wesley  Zion  African  Methodist  Epis- 
copal. 

Ebenezer  African  Baptist. 
Grace  Memorial  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  NO.  3— HEREON  HILL 

Twelve  Churches 

Wylie  Avenue  Baptist. 

Herron  Hill  Christian. 

Herron  Hill  Mission,  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Centenary  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Herron  Avenue  Presbyterian. 

Good  Will  Mission,  United  Presbyterian. 

Wylie  Avenue  United  Presbyterian. 

Thirty-Third  Street  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  4— OAKLAND  AND  BELLEFIELD 

Nine  Churches 
Oakland  Baptist. 
Oakland  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Oakland  Presbyterian. 
Bellefield  Presbyterian. 
First  United  Presbyterian. 
Grace  Reformed. 

DISTRICT  No    5— HAZELWOOD 

Nine  Churches 

None  of  these  churches  took  any  part  in  the 
Evangelistic  Movement. 


Figures  and  Facts  153 


DISTRICT  No.  6— LAWRENCE VILLE 

twenty- six  Churches 

Lawrenceville  Baptist. 

Salem  Evangelical  Association. 

Mount  Zion  English  Lutheran. 

Mornlngside  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal. 

McCandless  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Denney  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Butler  Street  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Second  German  Methodist  Episcopal. 

McCandless  Presbyterian. 

Forty-Third  Street  Presbyterian. 

Lawrenceville  Presbyterian.  \ 

Morningside  Presbyterian. 

First  Primitive  Methodist. 

St.  Paul's  Reformed. 

Seventh  United  Presbyterian. 

Good  Hope  Mission. 

Shiloh  African  Baptist  Church. 

Shiloh  African  Baptist. 

Antioch  African  Baptist. 

Good  Hope  African  Baptist. 

DISTRICT  No.  7— SHADY  SIDE 

Twelve  Churches 

Christ  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Friendship  Park  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Pacific  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Fourth  Presbyterian. 

Shadyside  United  Presbyterian. 

Olivet  Mission  United  Presbyterian. 

First  German  United  Evangelical  Protestant. 

Valley  View  Presbyterian. 

Friendship  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  8— EAST  END 

Thirty -six  Churches 

Shady  Avenue  Baptist. 
East  End  Christian. 


154        The  Pittsburg:  Revival 


Rowan  Avenue  Christian. 

College  Avenue  Church  of  God. 

Shady  Avenue'  Cumberland  PresbyteriaD. 

Bethany  Lutheran.  > 

Lincoln  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Emory  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Park  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Fourth  Methodist  Protestant. 

First  Methodist  Protestant. 

East  Libertj-  Presbyterian. 

Highland  Presbyterian. 

Tabernacle  Presbyterian. 

Shadyside  Presbyterian. 

Point  Breeze  Presbyterian. 

Apple  Avenue  Presbyterian. 

Park  Avenue  Presbyterian. 

First  Reformed  Presbyterian. 

East  End  Reformed  Presbyterian. 

St.  Mark's  Reformed. 

Lincoln  Avenue  United  Presbyterian. 

Sixth  United  Presbyterian. 

Jacob  Negley  Memorial,  Union. 

Second  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  9— HOMEWOOD 
Eleven  Churches 

Homewood  Baptist. 
Church  of  the  Redeemer,  Lutheran. 
Homewood  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Homewood  Avenue  Presbyterian. 
Hamilton  Avenue  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  10— SOUTHSIDE 
Twenty-tivo  Churches 
Union  Baptist. 
First  German  Baptist. 
Cobden  Street  Mission,  Baptist. 
Welsh  Congregational. 
Puritan  Congregational. 
Bingham  Street  Methodist  Episcopal. 
First  German  Methodist  Episcopal. 


Figures  and  Facts 


Walton  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Eighteenth  Street  Methodist  Prote»tant. 
Southside  Presbyterian. 
Arlington  Heights  Mission. 
Ninth  United  Presbyterian. 
Ormsby  Union. 

DISTRICT  NO.  11— MOUNT  WASHINGTON 
Thirteen  Churches 

Mt.  Washington  Baptist. 

Mt.  Washington  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Haven  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Mt.  Washington  Methodist  Protestant. 

First  Pentecostal. 

Mt.  Washington  Presbyterian. 

Mt.  Washington  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  12— MANCHESTER 

Twenty-one  Churches 

Beth  Eden  Baptist. 

First  Congregational. 

Salem  Evangelical  Association. 

Bethel  Lutheran. 

Union  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Trinity  Methodist  Protestant. 

Second  Presbyterian. 

First  German  Presbyterian. 

Seventh  United  Presbyterian. 

Sixth  United  Presbyterian. 

First  Ward  Mission. 

School  Street  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  13— LOWER  ALLEGHENY 
Fifteen  Churches 

Sandusky  Street  Baptist. 
First  Christian. 
Trinity  Lutheran. 

Pleasant  Valley  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Robinson  Street  Mission,  M.  E. 
Buena  Vista  Street,  M.  E. 
Arch  Street  Methodist  Episcopal. 


156        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


North  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Melrose  Avenue  Presbyterian. 
First  Presbyterian. 
Westminster  Presbyterian. 
Fifth  United  Presbyterian. 
Second  United  Presbyterian. 
Fourth  United  Presbyterian. 
Third  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No  14— UPPER  AI,I.KGHENY  AND 
TROY  HII^Iv 

Thirty-three  Churches 
St.  John's  Lutheran. 
St.  Peter's  German. 
St.  Mark's  Lutheran. 
First  German  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Simpson  Methodist  Episcopal. 
First  Methodist  Protestant. 
Central  Presbyterian. 
Providence  Presbyterian. 
Central  Reformed  Presbyterian. 
Sandusky  Street  Reformed  Presbyterian. 
First  United  Presbyterian. 
Tenth  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  15— OBSERVATORY  HILL  AND 
DUQUESNE  PARK 

Nine  Churches 
St.  Luke's  Lutheran. 
Perrysville  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 
North  End  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Watson  Memorial  Presbyterian. 
Duquesne  Park  Chapel,  United  Presbyterian. 
Eighth  United  Presbyterian. 
McNaugher  Memorial  Mission. 

DISTRICT  No.  16— WOODS  RUN 

Eleven  Churches 
Emmanuel  Baptist. 
Shady  Avenue  Christian. 
California  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Central  Avenue  Mission. 


Figistes  and  Facts 


Brighton  Road  Presbyterian. 
McClure  Avenue  Presbyterian. 
Welsh  Mission,  Presbyterian. 
Eleventh  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  17-CRAFTON 

Twenty-three  Churches 

Lorenz  Avenue  Baptist. 

Banksville  Methodist  Episcopal. 

"Grafton  Baptist. 

Banksville  Christian. 

Nativity  Episcopal. 

Emmanuel  Evangelical  Association. 

German  Evangelical  Protestant. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal,  Grafton. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal,  Sheridanville. 

West  End  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Idlewood  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Sheridan  Methodist  Protestant. 

West  End  Presbyterian. 

Hawthorn  Avenue  Presbyterian. 

First  Presbyterian,  Ingram. 

Mt.  Pisgah  Presbyterian. 

First  Presbyterian,  Grafton. 

Ingram  United  Presbyterian. 

Eleventh  United  Presbyterian. 

Sheridan  United  Presbyterian. 

Esplen  United  Presbyterian. 

McKees  Rocks  Presbyterian. 

First  Slavonic  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  18— BAKKRSTOWN 

Fifteen  Churches 

Allison  Park  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Bakerstown  Methodist  Protestant. 
Deer  Creek  Methodist  Protestant. 
Cross  Roads  Presbyterian- 
Allison  Park  Presbyterian. 
Second  Pine  Greek  Presbyterian. 
Bakerstown  Presbyterian. 
Pine  Creek  Reformed  Presbyterian. 


158        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


Deer  Creek  Reformed  Presbyterian. 
West  Union  United  Presbyterian. 
Hampton  United  Presbyterian. 
Allison  Park  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  19— TARKNTUM 
In  sympathy  with  the  Movement,  but  took  no 
a'^tive  part  in  it  because  meetings  had  been 
held  by  an  evangelist  in  some  of  the  churches 
during  the  month  of  January  preceding. 
There  are  29  churches  in  this  district. 

DISTRICT  No.  20— RURAI.  DISTRICT 

Eight  Churches 

Make  no  report  of  work  in  connection  with 
the  Evangelistic  Movement. 

DISTRICT  No.  21— SEWICKI^KY 

Twelve  Churches 

Did  not  unite  in  the  movement  because  spe- 
cial services  along  similar  lines  had  been  con- 
ducted in  December  and  January,  resulting  in 
an  accession  of  about  100  to  the  churches. 

This  work  was  arranged  by  the  Sewickley 
T.  M.  C  A. 

DISTRICT  No.  22— EMSWORTH 

Seven  Churches 

Emsworth  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Emsworth  Presbyterian,  Ben  Avon. 
Clifton  Presbyterian,  Emsworth. 
Emsworth  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.   23— AVAI^ON  AND  BKI.I.E;VUS 

Fifteen  Churches 

Bellevue  Baptist. 
Bellevue  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Bellevue  Methodist  Protestant. 
Avalon  Presbyterian. 
Bellevue  Presbyterian. 


Figures  and  Facts  159 


Perrysville  Presbyterian. 
Avalon   United  Presbyterian. 
Bellevue  United  Presbyterian. 

.  DISTRICT  No.  25— SHARPSBURO 

Twenty-nine  Churches 

Baptist. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Centenary. 
English  Lutheran. 
Grace  Methodist  Protestant. 
Etna  United  Presbyterian. 
Sharpsburg  Presbyterian. 
Millvale  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Millvale  Presbyterian. 
Aspinwall  Lutheran. 
Aspinwall  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Aspinwall  Presbyterian. 
Aspinwall  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  26— SIX  CHURCHES 
On  acc^^mt  of  Harwick  Mine  Disaster,  in 
which  two  hundred  lives  were  lost,  this  district 
did  not  take  any  active  part  in  the  movement. 

DISTRICT  No.  27— OAKMONT  AND  VKRONA 

Eight  Churches 

Oakmont  Baptist. 
Oakmont  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Oakmont  Presbyterian. 
Oakmont  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  28— PKNN,  PI,UM 

Ten  Churches 

Plum  Creek  Presbyterian. 
Christian  Endeavor  Mission. 
Kerr  Presbyterian. 
Laird  Presbyterian. 
Unity  United  Presbyterian. 
Logan's  Ferry  United  Presbyterian. 
Hebron  United  Presbyterian. 
Clarksville  Mission 


160       The  Pittsburg  Revival 


DISTRICT  No.  29— WILKINSBURG 
Nineteen  Churches 

Wilkinsburg  Baptist. 

Wilkinsburg  Christian. 

St.  Stephen's  Episcopal. 

Calvary  Presbyterian  Church. 

Calvary  Lutheran. 

South  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Mifflin  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Edgewood  Presbyterian. 

Wilkinsburg  Presbyterian. 

East  End  Presbyterian. 

South  Avenue  and  Center  Street  Reformed 
Presbyterian. 

Trinity  Reformed. 

Wilkinsburg  United  Brethren. 

W^ilkinsburg  United  Evangelical. 

Second  Wilkinsburg  United  Presbyterian. 

First  United  Presbyterian. 

Second  Cumberland  Presbyterian.  . 

DISTRICT  No.  30— BRADDOCK 
Twenty-nine  chnrchps.    Took  no  part  in  the 
movement. 

An  earnest  effort  was  made  to  unite  the 
churches  of  this  district,  but  it  did  not  suc- 
ceed. But  quite  a  number  of  pastors  and 
churches  were  greatly  interested  in  the  move- 
ment and  in  full  sympathy  with  it. 

DISTRICT  No.  31— TURTLE  VALLEY 

Twenty-Seven  Churches 

Pitcairn  Baptist- 
Turtle  Creek  Baptist. 
Turtle  Creek  Christian. 
Alpha  Lutheran. 

Wilmerding  Mv-^thodist  Episcopal. 
First  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Wilmerding  Presbyterian. 
Turtle  Creek  Presbyterian. 


31 


Figures  and  Facts 


McGlnnis  Presbyterian. 

East  McKeesport  Presbyterian. 

Calvary  Reformed,  Turtle  Creek. 

Pitcairn  United  Presbyterian. 

Turtle  Creek  United  Presbyterian. 

Wilmerding  United  Presbyterian. 

Pitcairn  United  Brethren. 

East  McKeesport  Methodist  Episcopal. 

East  McKeesport  United  Presbyterian. 

Methodist  Protestant. 

Methodist  Episcopal. 

Baptist. 

DISTRICT  No.  32— CORAOPOLIS 

Nine  Churches 

Coraopolis  Baptist. 
Coraopolis  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Neville  Island  Presbyterian. 
Coraopolis  Presbyterian. 
Coraopolis  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  33— McKEES  ROCKS 

Nine  Churches.    No  report 

DISTRICT  No.  34— FINDLEY 

Four  Churches 

Clinton  United  Presbyterian. 
Hebron  Presbyterian. 
Valley  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  35— NOBLESTOWN 

Eight  Churches 

Noblestown  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Oakdale  Presbyterian. 
Oakdale  United  Presbyterian. 
Noblestown  United  Presbyterian. 


6 


162        The  Pittsburg  Revival 

DISTRICT  No.  36 -CARNEGIE 

Seventeen  Churches 

Zion  African  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Second  African  Baptist. 
Carnegie  Baptist. 
First  Christian. 
Carnegie  Free  Methodist. 
Federal  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Bethany  Methodist  Episcopal. 
First  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Bethany  Presbyterian. 
First  Presbyterian. 
Woodville  Mission. 
First  United  Presbyterian. 
Woodville  Union. 

DISTRICT  No.  37-CASTLE  SHANNON 
Seven  Churches 

Castle  Shannon  Methodist  Protestant. 

Library  Baptist. 

Bethel  Presbyterian. 

Mt.  Lebanon  United  Presbyterian. 

Fair  Haven  Methodist  Protestant. 

DISTRICT  No.  38— HOMEVVOOD  AND  DUQUESNE 
Twenty-five  Churches 

Duquesne  African  Baptist  Church. 

Homestead  Baptist. 

Duquesne  Baptist. 

Homestead  Christian. 

Duquesne  Christian. 

Duquesne  Congregation  Slavic  Mission. 

Homestead  Episcopal. 

Homestead  Lutheran. 

Duquesne  Methodist  Episcopal. 

McKee  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Munhall  Methodist  Episcopal. 


Figures  and  Facts 


Homestead  Methodist  Episcopal. 
Duquesne  Presbyterian. 
Duquesne  Reformed. 
Homestead  United  Presbyterian. 
Homest^'^ad  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  39-WEST  ELIZABETH 

Thirteen  Churches 

Pine  Run  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Dravosburg. 

Lebanon  Presbyterian. 

Aliquippi  Presbyterian. 

West  Elizabeth. 

Mendelssohn  Mission. 

Amity  Presbyterian. 

Jefferson  United  Presbyterian. 

DISTRICT  No.  40— McKEESPORT 

Thirty-six  Ch%rches 

Baptist. 

West  Side  Baptist  Mission. 
Fifth  Avenue  Baptist. 
East  End  Baptist  Mission. 
Cumberland  Presbyterian. 
Christian. 

Coursin  Street  Methodist  Episcopal. 
First  Methodist  Episcopal. 
West  End  Methodist  Episcopal. 
First  Presbyterian. 
Central  Presbyterian. 
Reformed  Presbyterian. 
Reformed. 

United  Presbyterian,  Reynoldton. 
United  Presbyterian. 
German  Methodist  Episcopal. 


164        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


DISTRICT  No.  41— ELIZABETH 

Twenty-three  Churches 

A  scattered  district.  Not  possible  to  organ- 
ize it.    Nearly  all  the  churclies  are  small. 

DISTRICT  No.  42— KNOXVILLE 

Twenty-two  Churches 

Maple  Avenue  Baptist. 

Second  German  Baptist. 

Knoxville  Christian. 

Arlington  Evangelical  Association. 

Washington  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Knoxville  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Knoxville  Methodist  Protestant. 

Knoxville  Presbyterian. 

Concord  Presbyterian. 

Montooth  Mission. 

Allentown  United  Presbyterian. 

Knoxville  United  Presbyterian. 

West  Liberty  Mission. 

Spencer  Methodist  Episcopal. 


SUMMARY 

Number  of  churches  in  the  district,  with 
number  taking  part  in  the  Evangelistic  Move- 
ment : 

No.  in      No.  Taking 


District 

Part. 

District  No. 

1.  .  .  . 

  17 

9 

No. 

2 

  17 

12 

No. 

3.  .  . . 

  12 

8 

No. 

4.  .  .  . 

  9 

6 

No. 

5.  .  .  . 

  9 

0 

No. 

6.  .  .  . 

  26 

21 

No. 

  12 

9 

REV.  E.  L.  EATON,  D.  D. 


REV.  O.  F.  PUGH 


Figutes  and  Facts 


165 


DistriGt 

Part 

Ulstrict 

i\0. 

36 

25 

(( 

No. 

9 

11 

5 

(( 

No. 

10 

22 

13 

(( 

No. 

11 

13 

7 

r( 

No. 

12 

21 

12 

n 

No. 

13 

15 

15 

(( 

No. 

14 

33 

12 

No. 

15 

9 

7 

n 

No. 

16 

11 

s 

n 

No. 

17 

23 

23 

(( 

No. 

18 

15 

12 

4i 

No. 

19 

29 

Q 

n 

No. 

20 

3 

0 

•(( 

No. 

21 

12 

0 

No. 

22 

7 

4 

( ( 

No. 

23 

15 

(( 

No. 

25 

29 

12 

(( 

No. 

26 

6 

0 

(( 

No. 

27 

4 

n 

No. 

28 

10 

(( 

No. 

29 

19 

17 

(( 

No. 

30 

29 

0 

(( 

No. 

31  

27 

20 

n 

No. 

32  

9 

5 

(( 

No. 

33  

9 

Q 

4( 

No. 

34  

4 

3 

H 

No. 

35  

  8 

4 

H 

No. 

36  

  17 

13 

4( 

7 

5 

(( 

No.  38  

  25 

16 

(( 

No. 

39  

  13 

8 

(( 

No 

40  

  36 

16 

(( 

No. 

41  

  23 

-<( 

No. 

42  

  22 

14 

6SS 

361 

166        The  Pittsbtjtg  Revival 


Roll  of  the  various  denominations  with  the 
number  of  churches  in  each,  which  took  part  in 
the  Simultaneous  Evangelistic  Movement : 


Baptist    40 

Baptist    39 

Congregational    7 

Evangelical  Association  ;   6 

Methodist  Episcopal    72 

Presbyterian    88 

Cumberland  Presbyterian    3 

Reformed  Presbyterian    3 

United  Presbyterian   70 

Christian   ,   14 

Lutheran    15 

Methodist  Protestant    13 

African  Methodist  Episcopal    5 

Reformed    7 

Primitive  Methodist    1 

German  Evangelical,  United   2 

Church  of  God   1 

Union  Mission   3 

Pentecostal    1 

Episcopal    4 

United  Brethren    2 

Free  Methodist    1 

Total   362 


EVANGELISTS  EMPLOYED  BY  THE 
EVANGELISTIC  COMMITTTE. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Chapman,  D.  D.,  New  York  City. 
Rev.  W.  E.  Biederwolf,  Monticello,  Ind. 
Rev.  L.  W.  Mimhall,  D.  D.,  North  Adams,  Mass. 
Rev.  R.  A.  Walton,  D.  D.,  Chicago,  111. 
Rev.  Henry  Ostrom,  Monticello,  Ind. 
Rev.  E.  F.  Hallenbeck,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 


Figutes  and  Facts  167 


Rev.  John  Robertson,  Glasgow,  Scotland. 
Rev.  James  B.  Ely,  D.  D.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Mr.  Fred  Schiverea,  Jamaica,  N.  Y. 
Rev.  F.  E.  Smiley,  D.  D.,  Chester,  Pa.,  415  W. 

Third  Street. 
Rev.  A.  L.  Prewett,  Nashville,  Tenn. 
Rev.  J.  0.  Chapman,  D.  D.,  Hackettstown,  N.  J. 
Rev.  David  Winters,  D.  D-,  Lansdown,  Pa. 
Rev.  E.  L.  Eaton,  D.  D.,  Allegheny,  Pa. 
Rev.  James  M.  Gray,  D.  D.,  Boston,  Mass. 
Rev.  W.  S.  Miller,  Edge  wood  Park,  Pa- 
Rev.  L.  G.  Leggett,  Plainfieid,  N.  J. 


Roll  of  Pastors  and  Evangelists  who  held  spe- 
cial services  in  the  County  during  the  Evan- 
gelistic Campaign : 

Rev.  E.  F.  Walker,  Monticello,  Ind. 
Rev.  Geo.  H.  Flinn,  Ph.  D.,  Pittsburg,  Pa. 
Rev.  J.  T.  McCrory,  D.  D.,  Pittsburg,  Pa. 
Rev.  J.  M.  Mealey,  D.  D.,  Waynesburg,  Pa. 
Mr.  G.  Campbell  White,  Allegheny,  Pa. 
Rev.  H.  Von  Berg,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
Rev.  Mitchell,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Rev.  Vaclav  Kralicek,  Chicago,  111. 
Thomas  Needham,  Collingwood,  N.  Y. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

A  FINAL  WORD 

While  our  hearts  are  filled  with  praise  to  God 
for  this  great  awakening,  we  do  not  forget  the 
consecrated  men  whom  He  used  for  His  glory. 
We  should  take  pleasure  in  mentioning  the  faith- 
ful services  of  many,  but  space  will  not  permit. 
We  can  only  make  mention  of  three  prominent 
leaders. 

DR.  CALHOUN. 
BY  RRV.  GEO.  W.  TAFT 

When  God  has  a  great  work  to  do  He  raises 
up  men  to  lead  in  that  work.  When  the  evan- 
gelical forces  of  a  large  city  unite  to  work  as- 
one  man,  such  a  movement  must  have  a  great 
leader. 

Such  a  man  God  raised  up  for  us  in 
Rev.  Joseph  Painter  Calhoun,  D.  D.  God  had 
sealed  his  ministry  with  many  blessings,  and 
used  him  in  a  wide  field  of  service.  Because  of 
his  conspicuous  position  in  the  Presbyterian 
Evangelistic  work,  he  was  unanimously  chosen 
as  leader  in  the  Simultaneous  Movement,  and 
as  he  proceeded  with  the  work  all  were  con- 
vinced that  he  was  the  right  man  for  the  place,. 


A  Final  Word  169 


Genial  and  gentle,  strong  and  aggressive,  spir- 
itual and  sincere,  he  won  our  love  by  his  per- 
sanality  and  our  admiration  by  his  wise  and 
masterful  leadership.  We  all  felt  that  he  was 
living  in  the  shadow  of  the  Most  High,  and  that 
so  far  as  men  were  concerned  he  more  than  any 
other  was  head  and  soul  of  the  movement. 

Dr.  Calhoun  is  an  example  of  Christian  hu- 
mility and  of  theological  conservatism.  Leader- 
ship he  has  not  sought,  it  has  been  thrust  upon 
him.  Men  of  liberal  thought  look  upon  him  as 
"narrow."  Somehow  up  to  this  time  nearly 
every  great  soul  winner  has  this  same  charac- 
teristic. Finney,  Spurgeon,  Moody,  Munhall, 
Chapman,  and  a  host  of  others  belong  to  the 
same  glorious  company.  Dr.  Calhoun  has  been 
pastor  of  the  Homewood  Avenue  Presbyterian 
Church  since  1895.  God  has  greatly  blessed  him 
there,  in  the  erection  of  a  substantial  building, 
and  in  the  increase  of  the  membership  of  the 
church  from  about  two  hundred  to  almost  one 
thousand.  He  is  in  great  demand  among  his 
brethren  as  an  evangelistic  preacher. 

DR.  CHAPMAN  AND  DR.  GRAY. 

At  the  close  of  the  meetings  in  Allegheny 
City,  conducted  by  Dr.  Chapman  and  Dr.  Gray, 
the  following  was  adopted  by  the  pastors  and 
Christian  workers: 

"We  thank  God  for  His  presence  and  power 
so  manifest  in  each  service,  working  in  the 


170       The  Pittsburg  Revival 


many  churches  that  spirit  of  unity  in  love  and 
will  and  purpose  for  which  Christ  made  inter- 
cession ;  also  making  the  word  preached  and 
sung  quick  and  powerful,  penetrating  the  heart, 
subduing  the  will,  reviving  the  saved,  and  bring- 
ing hundreds  of  the  unsaved  to  Jesus  for  salva- 
tion. 

Dr.  Chapman's  sermons  are  most  heart 
searching  and  convincing,  spoken  with  unusual 
fervor  and  zeal,  holding  up  the  Lord  Jesus  upon 
the  cross  as  the  divine  magnet  to  draw  sinners 
unto  Himself  for  salvation,  presenting  melting 
exhibitions  of  the  infinite  love  of  God,  and 
leading  hundreds  to  a  saving  knowledge  of  the 
truth. 

Dr.  Gray's  expositions  bring  to  us  the  finest 
of  the  wheat,  and  stir  our  souls  to  the  very 
depths,  stimulating  us  to  search  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures more  and  more,  and  to  go  forth  in  the 
spirit  of  trust,  love  and  holiness  to  win  souls  to 
Christ,  who  shall  be  stars  in  our  crown  of  re- 
joicing. 

We  thank  Messrs.  Butler  and  Powers  for 
their  inspiring  service  of  song.  These  brethren, 
through  the  Spirit,  have  divine  music  in  their 
hearts  and  upon  their  tongues.  God  has  used 
them  to  sing  many  into  the  kingdom  of  grace 
here,  who  shall  sing  the  new  song  of  Moses  and 
the  Lamb  in  the  Kingdom  of  glory  yonder. 

In  the  name  of  the  Lord,  we,  the  pastors, 
thank  you,  speakers  and  singers.  God  has 
through  you  touched  our  hearts,  brought  peni- 


A  Final  Word 


171 


teDtial  tears  to  our  eyes,  quickened  our  souls, 
and  converted  many  of  our  loved  ones.  We 
will  follow  you  with  our  prayers  that  God  may 
continue  to  make  you  a  blessing  unto  others, 
as  you  have  been  unto  us-  To  our  covenant 
Jehovah  be  all  the  praise  and  the  glory." 

Time  would  fail  us  to  tell  of  Biederwolf  and 
Munhall  and  Walton,  Ostrom,  Hallenbeck,  Rob- 
ertson, Ely,  Schiverea,  Smiley  and  Need- 
ham,  and  all  the  rest  who  came  into 
our  midst  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God 
as  teachers  of  a  pure  Gospel,  and  who 
every  one  of  them  won  souls  for  Jesus  Christ. 
These  brethren  need  no  letters  of  commendation 
from  us.  They  have  been  Goa  s  approved  mes- 
sengers through  all  the  land.  Their  praise  is  in 
all  the  churches  where  God  has  used  them  for 
His  glory.  Each  of  them  did  well  in  his  place. 
God  wrought  with  them  for  His  glory. 

In  the  Sixth  United  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Allegheny  where  the  revival  service  was  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  Thomas  Needham,  they  were 
using  the  hymn  book,  "Songs  of  Praise."  One 
night  in  the  midst  of  the  meeting  a  woman 
grown  gray  in  the  Lord's  service,  said,  '*Sing 
number  ten,  please,"  and  the  evangelist  turned 
to  find  a  psalm  of  praise.  Of  course,  her  re- 
quest was  granted  and  all  joined  in  singing  the 
psa,lm.  The  woman's  face  lighted  as  she  lifted 
her  voice  in  a  song  that  had  the  approval  of 
her  conscience  and  her  church.  There  is  no  bet- 
ter word  with  which  to  close  this  history  of  the 


172        The  Pittsburg  Revival 


Simultaneous  Evangelistic  Movement.  May  we 
all  join  heartily,  and  with  good  conscience  in 
that  psalm  of  praise. 

O  thou  my  soul,  bless  God  the  Lord, 

And  all  that  in  me  is 
Be  lifted  up,  His  holy  name 

To  magnify  and  bless. 

Bless,  O  my  soul,  the  Lord  thy  God, 

And  not  forgetful  be 
Of  all  His  gracious  benefits. 

He  has  bestowed  on  thee. 


FINIS 


